The House narrowly approved a roughly $1.15 trillion defense bill on Wednesday, with Republicans pushing the measure through by a 216-212 vote. The close result underscored deep divisions in Congress as the legislation moved forward.
The vote handed President Trump an important political victory at a time when his handling of the Iran war has faced resistance both on Capitol Hill and among the public. Despite that opposition, Republican lawmakers were able to secure enough support to advance the sweeping defense package.
The razor-thin margin highlighted how contentious the bill has become, not only because of its size but also because of the broader debate surrounding US military policy. The measure emerged as a major test of party discipline and the administration’s ability to hold support during a period of heightened scrutiny.
With the bill clearing the House, the vote is likely to intensify debate over defense spending, presidential war powers, and the political fallout from the Iran conflict. The outcome also showed how closely divided lawmakers remain on major national security decisions.
