The Senate passed a huge, $901 billion National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) Wednesday on a 77-20 vote, sending the measure to President Trump’s desk. The bipartisan package comes in at more than 3,000 pages and checks off several boxes on the president’s to-do list, including a pay raise of nearly four percent for military service members, improved military housing, a codification of Trump’s order to end DEI efforts at the Pentagon, and a restriction on U.S. investment in China.
Two Republicans, Sens. Mike Lee (UT) and Rand Paul (KY), voted no, while 18 Democrats also opposed it.
Republicans on the Senate Armed Services Committee were stoked:
Passed & Headed to the President’s Desk: The FY26 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
This bill will:
✔️modernize our defense capabilities,
✔️reform the Pentagon acquisition process,
✔️improve quality of life initiatives for our troops,
✔️ensure @POTUS has sufficient… pic.twitter.com/2prDvsOTI3— SASC Republicans (@SASCGOP) December 17, 2025
✔️ensure @POTUS has sufficient military options.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) said on the Senate floor Tuesday that it would make America stronger:
This NDAA will make the most significant reforms to the way the Pentagon does business in a generation. These reforms will make our military stronger, more agile and more ready for whatever the mission may be, and that needs to be our mission here — to do whatever it takes to support American soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, and guardians.
Armed Service Committee Chair Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS) echoed President Trump’s (and Ronald Reagan’s) mantra, “peace through strength”:
This year’s NDAA ushers in the most significant acquisition reform in decades and helps the U.S. deter increasingly hostile nations. This legislation also recognizes Mississippi’s outstanding contributions to national defense. The American people voted for peace through… pic.twitter.com/Jgih7gkBHy
— Senator Roger Wicker (@SenatorWicker) December 17, 2025