Congress has approved the Fiscal Year 2026 Defense Appropriations Act, which now awaits the President’s signature. The U.S. House of Representatives passed the bill with a vote of 217 to 214, following earlier Senate approval by a margin of 71 to 29. This legislation provides $838.7 billion in discretionary funding, with $838.5 billion dedicated to defense and $180 million allocated for nondefense purposes.
The Senate Appropriations Committee, responsible for managing federal government funding and overseeing spending through legislative measures, played a central role in this process. The committee is tasked with examining topics such as trade and international affairs while promoting open budgeting practices and ensuring accountability in public money management, according to its official website.
Senator Collins, Chair of the Appropriations Committee, stated: “At a time when we face numerous complex threats around the globe, this legislation makes much-needed investments in shipbuilding, expands critical munitions production, provides support for our allies, and funds drone and counter-drone technologies that are increasingly changing the battlefield. This bill also invests in the brave men and women that make up our Armed Forces, showing our continued commitment to their readiness, well-being, and mission success.”
Senator Mitch McConnell, Chair of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, said: “Robust full-year defense appropriations are how we show we’re serious about restoring peace through strength. Threats to America’s security and interests are growing, and the capabilities and industrial base we need to deter them will not come cheap. This bill is an overdue down-payment on strengthening the common defense – work that must continue year after year.”
Key provisions include $193.3 billion for service member pay and benefits—covering both a 3.8 percent raise for all personnel and an additional 10 percent raise for junior enlisted members—and $294.4 billion allocated for military readiness activities such as operations sustainment and training.
Other highlights involve $3.7 billion toward security cooperation programs supporting strategic partners abroad; multiyear procurement authority covering eight types of critical munitions; an extra $3 billion designated for munitions production as well as research; plus significant funding across military branches: Army ($27.9B procurement/$16.7B R&D), Navy ($70B procurement/$28.1B R&D), Air Force ($57.3B procurement/$50.6B R&D), Space Force ($4B procurement/$14.9B R&D).
The act also allocates $800 million for National Guard modernization efforts addressing equipment shortfalls; $500 million directed toward U.S.-Israeli missile defense collaborations—including Iron Dome—and further sums earmarked for technology development partnerships with Israel.
The Senate Appropriations Committee manages legislation related to federal funding such as this act by conducting hearings on spending proposals and overseeing government programs (source). Its authority derives from constitutional mandates requiring congressional approval before funds can be drawn from the treasury (source). Established in 1867 specifically to separate appropriation duties from tax matters (source), it continues today as a key part of fiscal policy oversight within Congress.
