US Congress Approves Record $901 Billion Defense Budget, Marking Historic Military Spending
Washington, D.C. | December 17, 2025
The United States Congress on December 17 approved a record $901 billion defense budget after the Senate passed the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), completing congressional action on the largest military spending package in U.S. history. The legislation had earlier cleared the House of Representatives and was subsequently sent to the White House for presidential approval.
The $901 billion defense authorization prioritizes modernization of U.S. armed forces, including funding for next-generation fighter aircraft, naval expansion, missile defense systems, cyber warfare capabilities, and space-based security programs. Substantial allocations have also been made for artificial intelligence, unmanned systems, and hypersonic weapons, underscoring a shift toward advanced and future-oriented military technologies.
Lawmakers supporting the bill said the unprecedented budget is necessary to address strategic competition with China and Russia, reinforce commitments to NATO, and maintain U.S. military readiness across Europe and the Indo-Pacific. Increased funding has also been directed toward troop readiness, logistics, and cooperation with allied forces.
The record defense spending has sparked renewed debate in Washington, with critics raising concerns over rising federal debt and questioning whether such allocations come at the expense of domestic priorities including healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
The approval of the $901 billion defense budget reflects a bipartisan consensus in Congress that the United States is entering a prolonged period of global strategic rivalry, where military preparedness and technological superiority are viewed as central to national security.
