Congress's 65-year run of passing a defense bill is at risk over Iran war and cost

Congress's annual defense policy bill is on shaky ground, which threatens a 65-year streak of passage, The Hill reported Friday ¹. The bill is the National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA. It is a must-pass measure that sets Pentagon policy ¹.

The sticking point is price. The NDAA's own topline is $1.15 trillion, a historically high figure. The administration wants $1.5 trillion in total, including another $350 billion via reconciliation, a budget maneuver The Hill calls a tough climb ¹².

Democrats say the topline must be cut by hundreds of billions of dollars. They also want limits on the war with Iran before they vote yes ¹. The war began Feb. 28, and Democrats say President Trump never asked Congress to authorize it ¹.

How the bill got here

In June, the House Armed Services Committee passed its version 44 to 12 ¹. In July, the full House passed the bill 216 to 212, a narrow margin for a bill that usually draws broad support from both parties ¹.

From Channel GOPVan Hollen asks Patel if lying to Congress is a crimeChris Van Hollen · 173 plays · captioned, with the source named

In the Senate, a July 14 procedural vote failed 50 to 46. The bill needed 60 votes to advance ¹². Every Republican voted to move ahead except Majority Leader John Thune, who voted no only to enter a motion to reconsider ².

Trump started this war without authorization, without a strategy, and without an exit,

Senate Armed Services Chairman Roger Wicker, a Mississippi Republican, called the Democratic block "unprecedented" ¹. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a South Dakota Republican, said the bill helps ensure the military is ready ².

What happens next

Congressional staff have finished their work, and unresolved issues have moved to the staff director level, according to a defense industry source quoted by The Hill ¹. The top four defense committee leaders, the "Big Four," are to take it up after the midterms. The goal is to finish by Thanksgiving ¹.

Even then, the source said, Republicans are likely to hold firm on $1.15 trillion, and the bill could still face a Trump veto ¹. The Pentagon is also pushing Congress to formally rename the Department of Defense the "Department of War." Democrats call that unnecessary ¹.

The Iran war's cost has risen to $47 billion, up more than $3 billion since last month, The Hill reported ¹. Trump is weighing new strikes after the election ¹. Republicans may also lose control of the Senate ¹.

The politics are absolutely dismal between the two branches right now,

House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, told Punchbowl News the bill is "very important" and that lawmakers must "come together and get it done" ¹. One lobbyist predicted the bill will pass and keep the streak alive ¹.

The pattern is clear. Republicans control the House, the Senate and the White House, yet the one bill they call essential has stalled over a price tag and a war Democrats say was started without a vote. The Hill's report does not say how a failed bill would affect military pay or veterans' programs, so we are not guessing at that.

The Record

1. Feb 28, 2026The Iran war began; Democrats say Trump never asked Congress to authorize it ¹².
2. Jul 14, 2026A Senate procedural vote on the defense bill failed 50 to 46, short of the 60 needed ¹².
3. Jul 15, 2026The full House had passed its version 216 to 212 earlier in July ¹.

Sources

1. The Hill, “Congress' 65-year defense bill streak could be in jeopardy” (2026-10-30). thehill.com/policy/defense/6181202-ndaa-passage-threatened-p
2. Hawaii Tribune-Herald, “Senate Democrats block $1.15 trillion defense bill over Iran war objections” (2026-07-15). hawaiitribune-herald.com/2026/07/15/nation-world-news/senate

Found an error? Tell the newsroom. Corrections are noted at the top of the story.