The Senate approved its version of the annual defense policy bill after ending an impasse on amendments, paving the way for the chamber to formally negotiate with the House on a compromise version of the bill.

The 77-20 vote late Thursday to pass the fiscal 2026 National Defense Authorization Act came after a marathon voting session on amendments.

Earlier, senators reached an agreement to vote on 17 stand-alone amendments, as well as a manager’s package of 48 less controversial amendments that was approved by voice vote.

The Senate’s NDAA had been stalled since initial procedural votes in early September as senators, jockeying for votes on their amendments, objected to moving forward.

But on Thursday morning, Senate Armed Services Chairman Roger Wicker, R-Miss., announced that Republic

See Full Page