Svetlana Shkolnikova

In an overnight vote, the House approved an $831.5 billion defense spending bill that keeps a flat budget for the Pentagon, provides a 3.8% pay raise for troops and cuts some 45,000 positions from the civilian workforce.

The House and Senate Armed Services Committees unveiled legislation Friday supporting a 3.8% pay raise for service members and restricting any Pentagon efforts to undermine aid to Ukraine or drastically reduce American forces in Europe.

The House on Thursday passed President Donald Trump’s signature domestic policy bill, extending tax cuts, cutting spending on social safety net programs and giving the Pentagon $150 billion on top of its annual budget.

All service members would wear combat boots manufactured entirely in America and made with U.S.-sourced materials under a new bill introduced by a bipartisan group of lawmakers.

The Defense Department on Thursday called for a $961.6 billion budget for fiscal 2026 that gives troops a pay raise and reallocates $30 billion in savings from cuts to the civilian workforce, Ukraine assistance and diversity and climate programs.

The Senate Armed Services Committee on Wednesday released an updated plan for defense spending in a bill from Republicans to enact President Donald Trump’s agenda, slashing money for military operations on the U.S.-Mexico border while increasing funds for defense supply chains.

Iran retains the ability to threaten U.S. service members despite being in a weakened state following Israel’s military campaign against Tehran and American assaults on its nuclear program, the deputy commander of U.S. Central Command said Tuesday.

A group of 12 military veterans serving in the House told President Donald Trump on Monday that they will support a resolution to require approval from lawmakers for further military action against Iran in a bid to claw back Congress’ power to declare war.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday declined to say whether the U.S. is considering joining Israel’s bombing campaign against Iran’s nuclear program but acknowledged the Pentagon was providing possible military options to President Donald Trump.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday said the National Guard could be deployed to immigration protests beyond Los Angeles and suggested the role of troops in immigration enforcement could expand despite concerns from lawmakers about legality.