The compromise version of the National Defense Authorization Act was approved by a 92-7 vote in the Senate Thursday. Because the House approved the bill last Friday, it now goes to President Barack Obama for his signature. While Defense Secretary Ash Carter had urged Obama to veto the previous version of the bill, the size of the majorities supporting the bill means Congress would likely have the votes to override a possible veto. The bill authorizes $618.9 billion in the base budget and $59.5 billion for overseas contingency operations.
The rate of building B-21 bombers would speed up if the fiscal 2026 defense budget passes. But it remains unclear how much capacity would be added, and whether the Air Force would simply build the bombers faster, or buy more.
