The Senate has pushed forward a massive $925 billion defense spending package amid an ongoing government shutdown. This ambitious legislation, known as the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), was stuck in limbo as lawmakers struggled for over a month to reach a consensus. However, in a show of bipartisan support, the bill advanced through a Senate vote on Thursday.
Senate Armed Services Committee Chair Roger Wicker announced the development on the Senate floor, highlighting the rare collaboration in an otherwise divided Senate. “In this time, when we can’t seem to muster up a 60-vote majority to keep us in business as a federal government, we were able to pass the National Defense Authorization Act by a vote of 26-to-1,” he remarked. Despite this achievement, the bill’s progression comes as the government enters its ninth day of shutdown, with military service members facing delays in receiving their paychecks next week.
One major obstacle had been Senator Ruben Gallego’s hold on the NDAA. He initially called for a vote on his proposed amendment, which sought to block military honors for Ashli Babbitt, who was killed during the January 6 Capitol riot. Eventually, Gallego relented, allowing momentum to build around the bill.
As part of the legislative process, senators sifted through numerous amendments, some of which significantly affected the direction of the NDAA. A notable example comes from Senator Tim Kaine, who succeeded in having the Senate propose repealing the 2002 Authorization for Use of Military Force for Iraq, which had originally given then-President George W. Bush broad authority to deploy American forces. The House’s version of the NDAA also included similar repeals.
However, not all amendments found favor. Senator Chuck Schumer’s proposal to block funding for retrofitting a Boeing 747, previously accepted by the government from Qatar, failed to gain traction. Additionally, an amendment from Senator Chris Van Hollen would have limited the ability of governors to authorize National Guard deployments against their wishes but did not pass.
The tension within the Senate was palpable, particularly when Senator Tammy Duckworth threatened to block the NDAA, citing a need to investigate what she termed “gross abuse” of the military under the Trump administration’s orders. Duckworth’s reluctance stemmed from military deployments in several American cities. Ultimately, she backed off when Wicker assured her of a future hearing set to address her concerns.
In the complex dance of political maneuvering, the Senate has shown its ability to work together on matters of national defense, even as broader government operations remain paralyzed by partisan strife. The successful passage of the NDAA reflects not only a commitment to military funding but also the importance of bipartisan efforts in a deeply divided political landscape.
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