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The Senate $900B Defense Bill surged through the upper chamber Wednesday, a sprawling blueprint for U.S. military policy and spending that also tightens the screws on the Pentagon over undisclosed footage from maritime strikes near Venezuela.

Lawmakers voted 77-20 to approve the final version of the National Defense Authorization Act, a more than 3,000-page measure authorizing $900.6 billion for defense-related programs. The bill now heads to President Donald Trump’s desk for signature.

What the Money Covers

The legislation allocates roughly $855.7 billion to the U.S. Department of Defense, with another $34.3 billion dedicated to nuclear weapons programs managed by the Department of Energy. The remaining funds are spread across defense-related initiatives at other federal agencies.

Pressure Point: Unedited Strike Footage

Buried within the vast bill is a pointed provision aimed at Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. It would restrict the Office of the Secretary of Defense from accessing more than 75% of its travel funds until Hegseth delivers unedited video of U.S. strikes on alleged drug-trafficking boats in international waters near Venezuela to the House and Senate Armed Services committees.

A Defense Department representative did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Bipartisan Support, With Caveats

Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., the ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, acknowledged the bill’s imperfections but praised its scope and direction.

“While it isn’t perfect,” Reed said in a statement, “it makes a lot of needed improvements that will help boost the country’s economic, industrial and military strength.”

Reed said the measure strengthens the U.S. posture toward China, reinforces backing for NATO and Ukraine, and sustains support for partners worldwide — especially in the Indo-Pacific. He also emphasized that the bipartisan bill pushes back against what he called executive branch retreat from U.S. security commitments, while preserving congressional oversight as threats evolve.

Pay Raises, Policy Shifts

Among the headline provisions is a 3.8% pay increase for military personnel. The bill also extends the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative and repeals the 1991 and 2002 authorizations for use of military force in Iraq, laws that underpinned the 1991 Gulf War and the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

Another section bars diversity, equity and inclusion programs within the Defense Department and repeals existing DEI initiatives.

Procurement Rules Get a Rewrite

The Senate $900B Defense Bill also drills down into acquisition policy. It directs Hegseth to revise the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement to allow contracting officers to withhold up to 5% of payments to incumbent contractors who file bid protests at the Government Accountability Office over procurements involving similar goods or services.

If such a protest is dismissed as lacking any reasonable legal or factual basis, the withheld funds would be forfeited, according to Section 875.

Broader Contracting Flexibility

The legislation further orders the Pentagon to issue guidance on when it should credit a broader range of projects — including commercial or nongovernmental work — when evaluating past performance in contract proposals.

Another provision exempts products and services from nontraditional defense contractors from eight DFARS rules, as well as Federal Acquisition Regulation Part 31 cost principles and the statutory requirement to submit certified cost or pricing data.

As the Senate $900B Defense Bill advances to the White House, it stands as both a financial juggernaut and a policy lever — funding the future force while tugging the Pentagon toward greater transparency and procurement reform.