The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday approved the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), advancing the massive defense policy and spending package to the Senate after a decisive bipartisan vote.

The final tally was 312 in favor and 112 opposed. Despite the broad support, opposition came from both parties, with 18 Republicans and 94 Democrats voting against the legislation. The bill authorizes roughly $901 billion in funding for the Department of Defense and related national security programs for the upcoming fiscal year.

The vote followed a tense procedural showdown earlier in the day, when passage of the rule governing debate nearly failed. That motion narrowly passed 215–211 after four conservative Republicans—Reps. Anna Paulina Luna of Florida, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Tim Burchett of Tennessee, and Lauren Boebert of Colorado—reversed their initial opposition and voted in favor at the last minute. Every Democrat opposed the procedural rule.

House and Senate leaders have already reconciled their respective versions of the NDAA, producing a compromise package that leadership believes will clear the Senate without major changes before heading to President Donald Trump for signature.

While the NDAA has traditionally been one of the few must-pass bills that regularly attracts bipartisan backing, this year’s version drew sharp criticism from hardline conservatives. Their objections centered on continued funding for Ukraine—set at $400 million annually for two years—and the absence of language barring the Federal Reserve from developing a central bank digital currency.

Conservative lawmakers and privacy advocates argue that a government-issued digital dollar could allow federal authorities to track personal spending or restrict financial activity, raising concerns about civil liberties. Although the idea gained traction among conservatives, the prohibition was ultimately left out of the final bill.

The legislation also places limits on the president’s authority in several areas. It restricts President Trump from significantly reducing U.S. troop levels in Europe and South Korea and from unilaterally pausing weapons shipments to Ukraine.

In another unusual provision, the bill withholds 25 percent of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s travel budget until the Pentagon releases raw footage related to U.S. strikes on vessels accused of narcotics trafficking near Venezuelan waters.

House Speaker Mike Johnson highlighted what he described as major conservative wins in the bill. These include a 4 percent pay raise for enlisted service members, the removal of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs within the military, new measures aimed at combating antisemitism, and the elimination of roughly $20 billion in outdated or duplicative Pentagon programs and administrative structures.

Johnson also emphasized provisions focused on countering China’s growing global influence, which emerged as a central theme throughout the legislation.

The NDAA contains a notable non-defense provision backed by privacy-focused conservatives, including House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan of Ohio. The measure requires the FBI to notify Congress when it opens investigations involving sitting presidents, presidential candidates, or other federal candidates—an effort supporters say promotes transparency and prevents political abuse.

Several high-profile issues debated during the bill’s drafting did not make it into the final package. Coverage for in vitro fertilization services for military families, which had sparked controversy in recent days, was excluded. Also absent was a proposal that would have prevented states from enacting their own regulations on artificial intelligence.

One of the most consequential sections of the bill establishes a new outbound investment screening system. Under the program, U.S. companies and investors must notify the Treasury Department before investing in certain sensitive technologies in China or other countries deemed national security risks. Treasury would have the authority to block those investments or require detailed annual reporting to Congress.

The bill also prohibits the Pentagon from contracting with Chinese firms involved in genetic sequencing and biotechnology. It further bans the purchase of advanced batteries, solar components, display technologies, and critical minerals sourced from foreign entities of concern, including China.

In addition, the legislation directs the State Department to assign Regional China Officers to U.S. embassies and diplomatic posts around the world. These officers would track Chinese commercial expansion, technological influence, infrastructure projects, and activities related to Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative.

The State Department must also produce biennial reports comparing China’s diplomatic footprint worldwide with that of the United States.

Finally, the NDAA repeals two outdated authorizations for the use of military force dating back to 1992 and 2002, both tied to earlier phases of U.S. involvement in Iraq. The 2001 authorization, which underpins counterterrorism operations following the September 11 attacks, remains in force.

With House approval secured, the bill now heads to the Senate, where leaders expect a smoother path forward before final passage and presidential approval.