House Passes $831.5 Billion Defense Spending Bill

WASHINGTON—The House passed an $831.5 billion defense appropriations bill early on July 18 in a 221-209 vote, largely but not entirely along party lines. HR 4016, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act of 2026, funds U.S. defense spending through Sept. 30, 2026, with certain allocations extending into fiscal years 2027, 2028, and 2030. The bill covers costs for new naval vessels, next-generation aircraft, space capabilities, and President Donald Trump’s “Golden Dome” missile defense program. Three Republicans voted no: Reps. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), and Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.). Five Democrats voted yes: Reps. Don Davis (D-N.C.), Jared Golden (D-Maine), Vicente Gonzalez (D-Texas), Adam Gray (D-Calif.), and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Wash.)....