The House Armed Services Committee has advanced the $1.15 trillion fiscal 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to the full House of Representatives. The measure was passed after 14 hours of debate, during which approximately 900 amendments were considered, with a vote of 44-12 on Thursday night, shortly before midnight.
Committee Chairman Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL) emphasized the importance of the budget, citing challenges facing the defense industrial base. He stated, "Throughout our budget hearings this year, we’ve heard a consistent theme: the defense industrial base – the foundation of our military power – is in trouble. Over the last 30 years, the defense industrial base has atrophied significantly. We are no longer capable of manufacturing for our warfighters at scale or speed."
Rogers noted that the number of prime defense contractors has decreased from 51 in the 1990s to only six today. He described the budget as a national security issue, warning that failure to address the defense industrial base could jeopardize future security.
He highlighted the U.S.'s limited industrial capacity for critical minerals, which increases dependence on foreign nations, including adversaries. Rogers urged immediate action to revitalize the industrial base to maintain national security and support military personnel.
Among the debated amendments were proposals regarding the dismissal of senior military officials, new intellectual property rights for the government during defense negotiations, and a proposal to rename the Department of Defense to the Department of War. Other amendments included suggestions for reductions in defense spending and cuts to funding for a proposed battleship.
Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA), who proposed a decrease in defense spending, expressed concerns about the Trump administration's management of the budget, stating, "I just don’t trust the administration to use this historical budget appropriately. I’m not going to hand them a blank check to fund reckless, unilateral wars of choice."
After the committee's vote, Rogers remarked that advancing the FY27 NDAA "strengthens American deterrence, and gives servicemembers the support they need to defend our nation." He acknowledged the bipartisan effort involved in the bill, aiming to ensure the U.S. military remains a capable fighting force.
