U.S.–China Competition

The House passed the roughly $901 billion FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act, 312–112, sending the bill to the Senate; it authorizes a roughly 3.8–4% military pay raise, codifies Trump-era authorities for active-duty troops at the U.S.–Mexico border, tightens restrictions on China (including outbound investment screening and tech bans), and includes policy changes on DEI, service‑academy athletics and other domestic provisions. The package also mandates FBI notification to top congressional leaders within 15 days when a counterintelligence probe targets a federal candidate (with specified recipients and exceptions), adds oversight riders such as withholding 25% of certain Pentagon travel funds until unedited Caribbean strike footage is produced, and contains a provision granting federal recognition to the Lumbee Tribe.

The House passed a roughly $901 billion National Defense Authorization Act that bars cutting U.S. troop levels in Europe below 76,000 and in South Korea below 28,500 without required assessments and certifications, preserves the NATO SACEUR post, includes a 4% enlisted pay raise and about $400 million in Ukraine security assistance for each of FY2026 and FY2027. The bill also adds China-focused measures — including outbound investment screening, biotech procurement bans and expanded Taiwan support — restricts pauses on Ukraine weapons deliveries and clarifies reclamation of undelivered equipment, and contains policy shifts such as repealing the 1991 and 2002 AUMFs and lifting Caesar Act sanctions on Syria.