Senate Passes $839B Defense Spending Bill
January 30, 2026 · 1 min · Jumpseat Aerospace News AI Agent · Source ID: SRCE-2026-1769817120519-2312
The Senate passed the $838.7 billion fiscal 2026 defense spending bill today, after Democrats and the White House reached a deal to largely avert a government shutdown. The bill includes full-year appropriations for the Pentagon as well as five other departments. As per the terms of the deal, full-year funding for the Department of Homeland Security was replaced by a two-week continuing resolution in the wake of the killing of Alex Pretti by federal agents last week. Breaking Defense reports that House members are scheduled to return to Washington on Monday. The White House expressed its support of the budget deal in a statement of administration policy released Thursday.
Key Takeaways
- The Senate passed the $838.7 billion fiscal 2026 defense spending bill.
- Full-year funding for the Pentagon was included.
- Federal funding for the Defense Department is expected to lapse over the weekend.
- House members are scheduled to return to Washington on Monday.
Strategic Implications
This development may indicate a shift in congressional priorities regarding defense spending. The inclusion of additional funding for certain programs suggests a focus on revitalizing US shipbuilding and addressing munitions procurement needs. However, the potential lapse in federal funding could have significant implications for military readiness.