Unpacking the $900 billion annual defense U.S. bill

Congressional leaders released the text of the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), a compromise defense policy bill that fully repeals sanctions on Syria, seeks to put restrictions on withdrawing service members positioned in Europe and provides some military assistance to Ukraine.

The massive legislation, which has a topline of about $8 billion more than the $892.6 billion that President Trump requested in May, is set to be voted on this week. It comes after weeks of bipartisan talks between the House, Senate and White House, ‘The Hill’ writes.

“This year’s National Defense Authorization Act helps advance President Trump and Republicans’ Peace Through Strength Agenda by codifying 15 of President Trump’s executive orders, ending woke ideology at the Pentagon, securing the border, revitalizing the defense industrial base, and restoring the warrior ethos,” House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said.

Full repeal of Syria sanctions

Lawmakers fully repealed punishing sanctions on Syria, following through on Trump’s directive first issued in May.

But the provision requires the administration to certify every six months that the interim Syrian government is following through on combatting terrorism and drug trafficking, respecting minority rights and seeking peaceful relations with its neighbors.

Restrictions on US investment in China

A win for China hawks in Congress, the NDAA includes legislation restricting U.S. investment in adversarial countries that would benefit their development of technologies that can modernize their militaries, increase surveillance technology or contribute to human rights abuses. The NDAA name-checks Beijing as a particular country of concern.

Ukraine aide

Ukraine received $400 million for 2026 and another $400 million for 2027, part of the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, funds that go towards production by American companies for some of the most high-priority weapons for Ukraine’s Armed Forces.

It’s a symbolic win for Kyiv and Ukraine’s supporters who are worried President Trump is going to completely end U.S. support as part of efforts to end the war with Russia. But it’s a relatively small contribution to Ukraine’s overall war needs.

Restrictions on troop withdrawals from Europe

The defense bill would bar the Department of Defense from dropping the number of U.S. forces deployed or permanently stationed in Europe to under 76,000 for more than 45 days, unless the Pentagon can certify that NATO allies are consulted and the drawdown is in America’s national security interest.

The legislation also blocks the U.S. European Commander from giving up the title of NATO Supreme Commander, a move that some fear Trump wants to carry out to reduce American commitments to the alliance.

Language to rename Defense Department

The massive defense bill does not include any language to rename the Defense Department (DOD) to the Department of War.

In early September, President Trump signed an executive order formally renaming the department. The order also changed Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s title to secretary of War. But while Hegseth and some GOP lawmakers have embraced the new name for the department, the title change cannot be made official without congressional approval.

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