Democrats Break With Base, Hand Trump Massive Military Win in Explosive $839 Billion Defense Vote

Despite growing objections from progressives in their own party, 149 House Democrats joined 192 Republicans Thursday night to approve a major military spending bill that critics say exposes deep divisions over U.S. defense policy and the party’s stance toward President Donald Trump.

The House passed the $839 billion defense spending bill for fiscal 2026 by a 341-88 vote, sending the measure to the Senate, which must act before a Jan. 30 funding deadline to avert a partial government shutdown.

Progressive lawmakers warned that the bill effectively endorses Trump’s military agenda, even as they have condemned the president as “lawless,” overly aggressive abroad, and unaccountable at home. Among their concerns were Trump’s threats against NATO allies, controversial foreign interventions and the absence of clear congressional limits on the use of force.

4% of Democratic voters want to increase military spending.

70% of House Democrats just voted to increase military spending. https://t.co/Js6QDlDulh

— Stephen Semler (@stephensemler) January 23, 2026

Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), a senior Democrat who voted against the appropriations bill, argued that Friday’s vote was one of the last opportunities to rein in the White House’s actions. “I looked at the defense appropriations bill as maybe the last opportunity to prevent this administration from doing something … that we all know is a bad thing to do,” McGovern said ahead of the vote.

Earlier Thursday, Republican committee leaders blocked a Democratic attempt to force a vote on an amendment that would have explicitly barred U.S. military action against a NATO ally, a move many progressives had pushed for in response to Trump’s recent rhetoric on Greenland and other strategic issues.

The broader spending package also includes funding for other federal departments and was part of a larger push to complete appropriations ahead of the January deadline to prevent a shutdown.

Within the Democratic caucus, the vote exposed sharp fault lines. While 149 Democrats voted in favor, 64 voted against the defense bill, reflecting ongoing tension between moderates focused on avoiding government disruptions and progressives advocating for stricter oversight and limits on military spending.

“I will stand opposed as long as we are funding imperialism and authoritarianism while working people can’t afford the high cost of living,” said Rep. Delia C. Ramirez (D-Ill.), who opposed the measure and criticized what she described as disproportionate spending on weapons manufacturers.

Ramirez and other critics also argued that linking major defense funding with other domestic priorities effectively ties support for everyday American needs to billions in military dollars, a strategy they said undermines progressive goals.

With the bill now heading to the Senate — where a broader package including defense, infrastructure and domestic programs is expected to be finalized — lawmakers from both parties will face continued pressure over how to balance national security concerns with demands for accountability and oversight.

Joseph Johnson

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