Congressional leaders are poised to increase the fiscal 2026 defense budget by approximately $8 billion above the president’s Pentagon request as they finalize the National Defense Authorization Act. House Armed Services Committee ranking Democrat Adam Smith indicated only “three or four issues” remain before compromise language is completed. The final NDAA topline represents a middle ground between the House’s adherence to the Pentagon’s request and the Senate’s more generous $32 billion increase, signaling how appropriators may ultimately structure defense spending.