Congress Faces Stalemate Over Health Care Subsidies and Defense Bill

Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., spoke to reporters outside his office in the Capitol on December 4, 2025. The House passed its annual defense and national security package on December 3, marking progress toward completing the 2026 fiscal year budget post the record-long shutdown in October.

The bill passed overwhelmingly with bipartisan support in a 312 to 112 vote, with more than 100 Democrats voting in favor and 18 Republicans voting against. However, the vote faced challenges as GOP leaders worked to persuade some of their most stubborn members.

The House narrowly approved a procedural vote, known as the rules package, necessary for bringing the defense bill to the floor. This rules vote, typically along party lines, was critical for advancing the bill, which can only pass with a simple majority.

House Speaker Mike Johnson could only afford to lose two votes, and faced last-minute negotiations as five Republicans opposed the procedural hurdle. Ultimately, only Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky remained a no vote.

Despite some GOP members supporting the rules package, many voted against the defense bill itself. The opposition stemmed from complaints including the inclusion of military aid to Ukraine and the absence of a central banking digital currency ban.

The $900 billion National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, introduced after weeks of negotiations, is $8 billion higher than President Donald Trump's initial budget request. While the NDAA does not allocate federal funding, it outlines Pentagon priorities and authorizes defense spending.

The bill encompasses provisions for strengthening southern border security, revitalizing the defense industrial base, and reversing certain Biden administration policies perceived as 'woke.' It codifies at least 15 of Trump's executive orders, including those on physical barriers and troop deployments at the southern border, and includes a 4% pay raise for service members.

The NDAA now awaits Senate consideration before being sent to Trump's desk.