The House Armed Services Committee approved its fiscal 2027 National Defense Authorization Act late Thursday after a series of politically charged debates about the Iran war, Pentagon acquisition rules, defense spending and vestiges of the Confederacy in the military.
After contending with about 900 amendments over the course of 14 hours, the committee approved the sweeping measure in a resounding vote of 44-12.
The House is expected to take up the bill by the July recess.
The Senate Armed Services Committee plans to mark up its version next week.
The chairman’s mark of the House bill endorsed about $1.15 trillion for defense programs, mostly at the Pentagon. The funds must still be appropriated in separate legislation.
