US House of Representatives passes 2025 defense budget - The Hill
Mike Johnson, Speaker of the US House of Representatives (photo: Getty Images)
The lower house of the US Congress has passed the annual defense policy bill for the upcoming year, 2025. The bill allocates $883.7 billion, reports The Hill.
The bill has been sent to the Senate for review and approval before the end of the Congressional term in late December.
The legislation, known as the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), passed the House with bipartisan support, receiving 281 votes in favor and 140 against.
According to the American newspaper, 200 Republicans and 81 Democrats joined forces to push it across the finish line.
Earlier, over the weekend, US Congressional leaders unveiled a comprehensive $883.7 billion package, which includes:
- a 14.5% pay raise for junior enlisted service members;
- a 4.5% pay increase for all other military personnel.
Additionally, the package allocates funds to establish a special Taiwan fund, modeled after the initiative for aid to Ukraine. This fund allows the US to send weapons by modifying procurement practices to work directly with private manufacturers.
The most controversial provision in the document is the restriction on using funds from TRICARE, the healthcare program for active-duty service members, to cover gender-affirming care for children of service members aged 18 and under.
