Sets defense policy and authorizes military spending levels for fiscal year 2027

§1What it does

Why this matters: A plain-English description of the bill as it was voted on, written by us from the official summary and text.

✎ Drafted by AI from the public sources cited. Each sentence links to its source.

This is the House version of the annual National Defense Authorization Act, which sets policy and approves spending levels for Defense Department programs, military construction and the Energy Department's national security programs for fiscal year 2027.^2,3 Among other things, it authorizes purchases such as aircraft and ships, sets the number of active-duty and reserve troops, and sets policy on military pay and health care, defense purchasing, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, and relations with Israel, Europe and the Indo-Pacific region.^2,3 The House passed its Armed Services Committee's version along with hundreds of floor amendments, including ones barring the military's TRICARE health program from covering certain gender-related medical treatments, barring male students from female sports at Defense Department schools, and requiring commanders to presume approval when qualified troops and civilian employees ask to carry personal firearms on bases.³

§2Status

§3How Congress voted

Why this matters: The official count.