US House clears $1.15tn defence spending bill

Washington: The Republi­can-controlled US House of Representatives narrowly passed a $1.15 trillion defence spending bill on Wednesday, advancing President Donald Trump’s push for a sharp increase in military spending and closer defence cooperation with Israel.

The 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) cleared the House 216-212, with six Democrats backing the measure and seven Republicans voting against it.

The bill would significantly expand military technology collaboration with Israel, drawing criticism from some lawmakers. 

Republican Rep­resentative Thomas Massie called the provision “a bet­rayal of our sovereignty” and urged the Senate to reject it.

The legislation reflects Trump’s call to raise annual defence spending from about $900 billion to $1.5 trillion, arguing the increase is necessary as the US continues its war with Iran.

The bill now moves to the Senate, where its prospects remain uncertain. Democrats have criticised its cost and opposed provisions linked to the Iran conflict, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schu­mer describing it as a “permission slip” for the war. The package includes the SAVE America Act, which would tighten voting rules, a key Trump priority. —Agencies