House Passes $839 Billion Defense Spending Bill for Fiscal 2026

The United States House of Representatives approved an $838.7 billion defense spending bill for fiscal year 2026 in a 341-88 bipartisan vote. The legislation, part of a consolidated appropriations package, exceeds the Pentagon's original request by $8.4 billion. To avoid a government shutdown, the bill must now pass the United States Senate by January 30, 2026.

The budget prioritizes advanced stealth and naval capabilities, allocating $3.9 billion for sixth-generation aircraft. This includes $3 billion for the Boeing-built F-47 fighter and $972 million for the Navy's F/A-XX. Other major investments include $1.9 billion for the B-21 Raider stealth bomber, $7.6 billion for 47 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters, and $27.2 billion for 17 Navy ships, including Columbia- and Virginia-class submarines.

Congress explicitly overrode the executive branch on several programs. Lawmakers provided $1.1 billion to preserve the E-7 Wedgetail airborne battle management program, contradicting Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's skepticism and the Pentagon's proposal to cancel it. The bill also sustains the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle program despite military efforts to terminate it. Additional provisions include $157.6 billion for the Army, $13 billion for Special Operations Forces, and $13 billion for the classified Golden Dome modernization program. Service members will receive a nearly 4 percent pay raise.