House passes $832 billion defense budget for FY 2026, sending it to the Senate amid a close 221-209 vote
House passes $832 billion defense budget for FY 2026, sending it to the Senate amid a close 221-209 vote
Published:
July 21, 2025
/
Updated:
July 21, 2025
Defense Budgets / Policy
Julien Mercier
U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ryan Gomez
The House wrapped up final paperwork Sunday night on its $832 billion defense-spending bill and sent the text to the Senate, beating the gavel-out by a few minutes and keeping the measure on track before the August recess. Leaders now have ten working weeks to finish negotiations if they want the money in place when fiscal 2026 starts on 1 October.
Floor voting early Friday settled at 221-209. Five Democrats joined most Republicans, while three Republicans peeled off. Hours later Representative Terri Sewell explained her “no” vote, arguing the draft cuts readiness and medical programs. Her statement underscored how the bill’s political math remains fragile as it leaves the House.
At first glance the topline mirrors last year’s level, yet flat funding in nominal dollars hides a squeeze created by rising pay and energy costs. The Pentagon will have to stretch dollars for maintenance and training while inflation hovers near four percent.
Major hardware buys dominate the accounts:
Fighter and bomber lines – $8.5 billion for sixty-nine F-35s and $3.8 billion for early B-21 production.
Tanker and radar aircraft – $2.7 billion for fifteen KC-46A Pegasus refuelers and $1.2 billion for four E-2D Hawkeyes.
Shipbuilding – $37 billion covers one Columbia-class ballistic-missile submarine plus two Virginia-class attack boats and long-lead gear for future amphibs.
Research and development climbs to roughly $148 billion. The draft steers $2.6 billion into hypersonic prototypes and reserves $13 billion for the multilayer “Golden Dome” missile-defense network that military planners view as an answer to expanding long-range threats.
Personnel accounts grow to $189 billion and will finance a 3.8 percent pay raise on 1 January 2026 plus a larger family-separation allowance. Lawmakers shaved about $7 billion from operations and maintenance lines to stay under spending caps, a move service chiefs say will complicate depot schedules.
The bill orders the Pentagon to shed almost 45 000 civilian positions, booking a notional $6.5 billion savings. Labor groups warn the cut targets logisticians and engineers who keep high-demand weapons in the field.
Social-policy riders triggered the loudest debate. The text:
bars federal funding for abortion services at Defense Health Agency facilities,
blocks coverage for gender-transition procedures,
eliminates diversity, equity and inclusion offices, and
limits travel reimbursements tied to reproductive-care leave.
Lawmakers fought over several high-profile amendments. One proposal would have barred any of the money from reaching Ukraine. Another sought to trim Israeli cooperative missile-defense funding. Both failed by wide bipartisan margins, signaling that core foreign-aid coalitions remain intact even as direct Ukraine assistance waits for separate action.
The Senate has yet to table its draft, but leaders hint they will seek extra submarine-industrial-base money and drop most social riders. If talks slip past 30 September the department will start the year under a continuing resolution, locking new programs and slowing about eight major contract awards. Negotiators face a narrowing calendar to prevent that outcome.
Our analysis shows that while the headline number grabs attention, the real fight now shifts to the bill’s fine print – how much flexibility the Pentagon keeps for mid-year transfers and whether Congress adds carve-outs for munitions and shipbuilding if a stop-gap is needed.
REFERENCE SOURCES
https://raksha-anirveda.com/us-house-lawmakers-advance-832-billion-defence-appropriations-plan-for-fiscal-2026/
https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2025/07/18/house-advances-832-billion-military-budget-plan-for-next-fiscal-year/
https://appropriations.house.gov/news/press-releases/house-passes-fy26-defense-bill-investing-americas-military-superiority
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/07/house-passes-832b-defense-appropriations-bill/
https://nypost.com/2025/07/18/us-news/house-approves-832b-defense-funding-bill-with-pay-boost-for-troops/
https://insidedefense.com/insider/house-passes-fy-26-defense-spending-bill
https://www.alreporter.com/2025/07/21/rep-sewell-highlights-vote-against-2026-defense-appropriations-bill/
The post House passes $832 billion defense budget for FY 2026, sending it to the Senate amid a close 221-209 vote appeared first on defense-aerospace.
The House wrapped up final paperwork Sunday night on its $832 billion defense-spending bill and sent the text to the Senate, beating the gavel-out by a few minutes and keeping the measure on track before the August recess. Leaders now have ten working weeks to finish negotiations if they want the money in place when fiscal 2026 starts on 1 October.
The post House passes $832 billion defense budget for FY 2026, sending it to the Senate amid a close 221-209 vote appeared first on defense-aerospace.
