WASHINGTON (AP) — The House is expected to vote this week on a $900 billion authorization bill for military programs, including raising pay for service members, cutting Pentagon diversity efforts and requiring the release of footage of troops blowing up alleged drug boats.
The National Defense Authorization Act is traditionally a strong bipartisan bill that spells out the nation’s defense policies. But it is coming up for a vote as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faces increased scrutiny over boat strikes off the coast of Venezuela.
Parliamentarians have shown interest in the compromise bill released by the House Armed Services Committee on Sunday. While it contains many of President Donald Trump’s executive orders, the defense bill calls for more accountability in the administration’s campaign against Latin American drug cartels. It reaffirms US commitment to Europe after sharp criticism from allies over Trump’s recently released national security strategy.
The House could vote on this year’s NDAA as early as Wednesday. Here are the key things to know about the bill:
Demand for boat strike videos
Lawmakers are demanding the Pentagon hand over edited video of strikes against drug cartels, threatening to withhold a quarter of Hegseth’s travel budget if it doesn’t.
Congressional committees that oversee the military are pressing the Pentagon for more answers on the Sept. 2 strike. US forces shot dead two survivors clinging to the wreckage after their alleged drug-smuggling boat was attacked.
The law also requires the Pentagon to provide the orders behind each attack. Legal experts and some Democrats say the Sept. 2 follow-up strike violated the laws of war, despite the Trump administration’s assertion that the U.S. is in an armed conflict with drug cartels.
Aid for Ukraine
The law authorizes $400 million for each of the next two years to build weapons to be shipped to Ukraine.
This money represents only a small part of Kiev’s overall needs for the fight against Russia, but it is still a show of support from Congress when Trump’s support for Ukraine is in doubt.
The bill also requires the Pentagon to provide intelligence assistance for Ukraine, which the Trump administration blocked for several weeks earlier this year.
Placing US troops in Europe, Korea
Congress is seeking to reaffirm its commitment to European allies and NATO — a remarkable stance given the Trump administration’s posture.
A provision of the Defense Authorization Bill requires the Pentagon to keep at least 76,000 troops and major equipment in Europe until NATO allies are consulted and determined that such a withdrawal is in the U.S. interest.
About 80,000 to 100,000 US troops are usually present on European soil. NATO allies have expressed concern that the Trump administration could drastically cut their numbers, leaving European countries with a security vacuum in the face of an increasingly aggressive Russia.
The Army said in late October that the 101st Airborne Division’s 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team would return to its base in Kentucky as previously planned, but that no other U.S. troops would rotate to Europe to replace it.
The Trump administration has said it is reviewing its military posture in Europe and elsewhere. In a speech on Saturday, Hegseth criticized previous US policies that “turned US allies into vassals”.
The defense bill also calls for keeping US troops in South Korea at a minimum of 28,500.
Lack of IVF coverage
The bill is notable for its lack of a provision to extend coverage of in vitro fertilization to active duty personnel. An earlier edition covered a medical procedure known as IVF, which helps people facing infertility build their families.
Rep. Sarah Jacobs, a Democrat from California, said Sunday that Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson removed a provision in her bill for military health insurance to cover IVF for US troops.
“This is an incredibly selfish and callous move against people who have sacrificed so much for us, especially when he and his own employees have access to health care plans that offer IVF coverage,” Jacobs said in a news release.
Johnson’s office did not respond to an email seeking comment. He praised the NDAA for fulfilling “Trump’s promise of peace through strength,” while also providing about a 4% raise for service members.
Repeal the Iraq War Resolution
The legislation would also officially end the war in Iraq by revoking the authorization for the 2003 invasion.
Supporters in both the House and Senate say the repeal is important to prevent future abuses and reinforce that Iraq is now a strategic partner of the US.
The 2002 resolution has been rarely used in recent years. But the first Trump administration cited it as part of the legal justification for the 2020 US drone strike that killed Iranian General Qasem Soleimani.
Lifting final sanctions on Syria
Congress will permanently lift tough US sanctions on Syria after the Trump administration waived several fines.
Congress imposed economically crippling sanctions on the country in 2019 to punish former leader Bashar al-Assad for human rights abuses during the nearly 14-year civil war. Syrian President Ahmed al-Shar’a is trying to rebuild his country’s economy after leading a successful uprising that ousted Assad a year ago.
While the Trump administration issued temporary waivers to the sanctions known as the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act, they can only be permanently repealed by a vote in Congress.
Advocates of a permanent repeal say it is impossible for international companies to invest in projects needed to rebuild the country as long as there is a threat of sanctions being rolled back.
Cuts to climate and diversity initiatives
The bill cuts $1.6 billion in climate change-related spending, the House Armed Services Committee said. The panel did not outline what would be removed, but the military has previously invested in hybrid electric ships and plans to adapt to a changing climate.
U.S. military assessments have long found climate change a threat to national security, with bases inundated by hurricanes or regular floods.
The bill would save $40 million by eliminating the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, programs and training, the committee said. For example, the position of chief diversity officer will be cut.
The Trump administration has ordered cuts to climate and DEI programs in the federal government.
