WASHINGTON, D.C. — The House has approved a sweeping $901 billion defense policy bill, pushing forward the largest annual military authorization in U.S. history while adding new oversight requirements aimed at the Trump administration’s national security operations. The National Defense Authorization Act passed 312–112 on Wednesday and includes measures compelling the Pentagon to disclose unedited video of U.S. military strikes on suspected drug-trafficking vessels in the Caribbean.
One provision would withhold 25% of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s travel budget unless the Pentagon complies with congressional requests for more transparency surrounding maritime strikes — including a September 2 operation near Venezuela where survivors of a drug boat were reportedly killed after a follow-up strike. Lawmakers want the House and Senate Armed Services Committees to receive unedited footage for all Southern Command–linked operations targeting designated terrorist organizations.
The vote came hours after Attorney General Pam Bondi posted video of U.S. forces seizing a large oil tanker transporting crude bound for Cuba, highlighting an expanding maritime campaign overseen by the administration. The bill also provides $400 million per year in security assistance for two years and blocks reductions to troop levels in Europe and South Korea, countering Trump’s push for downsizing.
House Armed Services Committee Democrat Adam Smith said the bill marks Congress “reasserting legislative authority” and includes the most significant acquisition-reform effort in years. The measure now moves to the Senate.
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