By suzanne downing 
The House of Representatives has approved its version of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026, setting a defense policy and top-line budget of roughly $892.6 billion. The bill, HR 3838, passed 231-196, mostly along party lines but with some bipartisan crossover on a handful of contentious issues.
Among the most consequential provisions was a bipartisan amendment to repeal two longstanding Authorizations for Use of Military Force related to Iraq, specifically the 1991 Gulf War authorization and the 2002 Iraq War authorization. The measure passed with far broader support than the NDAA itself, 261-167, with 49 Republicans joining Democrats to rescind authorities that some say have fueled decades of unchecked military action.
Both laws have long been criticized by lawmakers from both parties for granting presidents a “blank check” to wage war without fresh congressional approval. Supporters of repeal argued their removal would reaffirm Congress’s constitutional authority to declare war. Opponents, led by defense hawks, countered that repeal could complicate US responses to Iranian-backed militias or other regional threats.
The 2001 post-9/11 AUMF, which is still the foundation for US counterterrorism operations worldwide, remains untouched.
The amendment, led by Reps. Gregory Meeks (D-NY) and Chip Roy (R-TX), cleared the House Rules Committee after three Freedom Caucus Republicans broke with their leadership. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and Armed Services Committee leaders initially resisted, but the procedural break opened the door to a floor vote.
Suzanne Downing