US President Donald Trump on Thursday signed into law the annual defense policy bill, which includes a provision pressuring the Pentagon to release footage of US strikes targeting alleged drug boats near Venezuela.

The US Senate on Wednesday passed the USD 901 billion National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2026. The bipartisan bill, approved 77-20 in the Senate and 312-112 in the House, includes a 3.8–4 percent military pay raise, boosts arms production, and authorizes USD 400 million annually for weapons for Ukraine.

It also maintains US troop levels in Europe and South Korea with allied consultation. Key provisions include an overhaul of Pentagon procurement processes, development of the Golden Dome missile defense system, and pressure on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to provide Congress with unedited footage of US strikes on alleged drug boats near Venezuela, with a quarter of his travel budget withheld until compliance.

The legislation eliminates Pentagon diversity, equity, and inclusion offices, cuts USD 1.6 billion in climate-related spending, repeals the 1991 and 2002 Iraq War authorizations, and permanently lifts US sanctions on Syria.

It also allocates USD 26 billion for shipbuilding, USD 38 billion for aircraft, and USD 25 billion to ramp up munitions production. The bill represents a compromise between the parties, balancing Trump’s national security priorities with congressional oversight and accountability measures.

Under the provision, a quarter of US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's travel budget will be withheld until the Pentagon provides Congress with unedited footage of the strikes.

The measure follows mounting pressure in Congress on Hegseth to disclose the original video after it was revealed that two survivors clinging to the wreckage of a targeted vessel were killed in a subsequent strike following an initial attack on Sept 2.

The more than 3,000-page defense bill includes a nearly 4 percent military pay raise, an overhaul aimed at speeding up Pentagon arms purchases, as well as measures to develop the U.S. Golden Dome missile defense system and promote military readiness.

Under the bill, the Trump administration allots 400 million dollars annually for two years to produce weapons for Ukraine and puts limits on reducing U.S. troop levels in Europe and South Korea without allied consultations.

The measure also authorizes 26 billion dollars for shipbuilding, 38 billion dollars for aircraft and 25 billion dollars to ramp up munitions production.

The legislation eliminates Pentagon DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) offices, cuts 1.6 billion dollars in climate-related spending, repeals the 1991 and 2002 Iraq War authorizations and permanently lifts US sanctions on Syria.

The Senate approved the measure in a vote of 77 to 20 on Wednesday, one week after the House advanced it with a 312-112 vote.