House narrowly passes massive annual defense policy bill

Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson wants to move all three priorities through Congress as quickly as possible.

The annual bill, which sets Pentagon policy and typically draws broad bipartisan support, received only six Democratic votes as much of the caucus objected to Section 219 and Republican-backed amendments restricting transgender care and easing access to personal firearms on military bases.

House Republicans on Tuesday cleared a key hurdle for a $1.15 trillion defense authorization bill after resolving a conservative standoff that delayed the legislation for weeks, putting the measure on track for final passage as early as Wednesday.

House Republicans narrowly adopted a $95 billion budget plan on Wednesday to provide tens of billions for the war with Iran and impose new election restrictions President Trump has demanded, muscling through dissent in their ranks to send the measure to a skeptical Senate.