The U.S. House of Representatives voted Wednesday to approve the National Defense Authorization Act — an annual federal law that sets defense policy priorities and spending.
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The legislation, totaling roughly $900 billion this year, passed by a vote of 312-112 and will now head to the Senate. Here are key provisions in the 3,086-page legislation:
Troop pay raise
Enlisted service members would receive a 4% pay increase. For a typical service member earning $50,000 annually, that’s an extra $2,000.
No IVF coverage for military families
After intense lobbying, in vitro fertilization coverage for military families remains excluded from the bill — a move reproductive rights advocates strongly oppose.
"It is shameful that Members of Congress and Congressional staff enjoy access to comprehensive fertility benefits while they continue to deny this same coverage to military families," the American Society for Reproductive Medicine said in a statement.
‘Golden Dome’ missile defense funding
The bill funds the completion of the so-called “Golden Dome,” a missile defense system inspired by Israel’s Iron Dome, designed to intercept incoming threats. It would cover the entire United States.
Space Force Gen. Michael Guetlein, who leads the project, said the U.S. version would be far larger than Israel’s.
"They are defending an area the size of New Jersey — so we are defending a mcuh greater area than what Israel is challenged with," he said. "... We will deliver that capability in [2028] to protect the homeland."
Limits on troop reductions in Europe
The measure restricts President Trump’s ability to reduce the number of U.S. troops stationed in Europe and provides $800 million in military aid to Ukraine.
Accountability for strikes on drug-smuggling boats
The legislation requires the release of videos showing recent U.S. military strikes on suspected drug-smuggling boats, mostly in the Caribbean. If the footage is withheld, funding for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s travel budget would be cut.
Hegseth has said the Department of Defense is reviewing the footage but has not indicated whether it will be released.
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