The US House of Representatives passed the $1.15 trillion National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2027 on 22 July by a narrow 216-212 vote, approving a record-setting security spending package that extends well beyond traditional military policy.
Republican leaders attached the SAVE America Act, a Donald Trump-backed elections overhaul proposal imposing new voter ID restrictions and banning mail-in ballots, to the must-pass defense legislation. The bill also proposes renaming the Department of Defense to the Department of War, mandates a 5% to 7% pay raise for service members, and authorizes $73 billion for operations against Iran. A provision mandating construction of a "Golden Dome" missile defense system was also included.
Lawmakers rejected an amendment by Eli Crane to cut all military aid to Ukraine and defeated a Lauren Boebert proposal to codify a ban on transgender service members. However, the House approved amendments barring gender-related care under TRICARE and banning transgender athletes from girls' sports at Defense Department schools. The White House has raised concerns over a provision limiting presidential authority to name military installations.