Story perspectives

House Approves $1.15 T Defense Bill, Limits LGBTQ+ Care

7/23/2026

Summary

Story summary

The U.S. House passed the National Defense Authorization Act, a $1.15 trillion defense bill, by a 216-212 vote on Wednesday.
The bill raises service-member pay 5%-7%, renames the Defense Department as the Department of War, restricts gender-related TRICARE care, adds the Trump-backed Save America voter-ID restrictions, and eases base firearms rules.
Democrats and seven Republicans opposed it, and Rep. Adam Smith (D-N.Y.) called it a partisan bill targeting the LGBTQ+ community.

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Story summary

The U.S. House passed the National Defense Authorization Act, a $1.15 trillion defense bill, by a 216-212 vote on Wednesday.
The bill raises service-member pay 5%-7%, renames the Defense Department as the Department of War, restricts gender-related TRICARE care, adds the Trump-backed Save America voter-ID restrictions, and eases base firearms rules.
Democrats and seven Republicans opposed it, and Rep. Adam Smith (D-N.Y.) called it a partisan bill targeting the LGBTQ+ community.