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US House Defies Trump With Sweeping Pro-Europe Defense Bill Boosting Ukraine and NATO
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![Photo of Vlad Litnarovych]( "Photo of Vlad Litnarovych")
The US House has approved a sweeping defense bill that strengthens security in Europe and curbs Donald Trump’s efforts to scale back America’s traditional alliances, The Guardian reported on December 11.
The bipartisan vote comes just days after the White House released a national security strategy describing Europe as facing “civilisational erasure” and openly aligning Washington with nationalist far-right parties on the continent—a shift that unsettled EU leaders and signaled a dramatic reorientation of US foreign policy.
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By contrast, the House’s $900 billion Pentagon bill leans decisively in the opposite direction, reinforcing the US military presence in Europe and sharply limiting Trump’s authority to withdraw troops, relocate major assets, or downgrade NATO missions.
A pro-Europe defense bill in the Trump era
The 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, which now heads to the Senate, includes $8 billion more than the Trump administration’s original request. It locks in a minimum of 76,000 US troops in Europe, preventing reductions lasting longer than 45 days, and blocks the removal of key equipment.
“President Trump and congressional Republicans are restoring American strength, defending our homeland, standing with our allies, and ensuring the United States remains the most powerful and capable military force the world has ever known,” House Speaker Mike Johnson said ahead of the vote.
Trump’s strategy vs. Congress’s reality
The new national security strategy released last week described Europe as an over-regulated, insecure continent suffering from a crisis of “self-confidence.” It embraced far-right European parties, questioned Europe’s commitment to peace, and suggested the region was no longer a top US strategic priority.
The Kremlin welcomed the document, saying it “corresponds in many ways to our vision.”
European leaders reacted sharply. António Costa, president of the European Council, warned Washington against meddling in the bloc’s internal politics:
“Allies do not threaten to interfere in the domestic political choices of their allies … Europe must be sovereign,” Costa said.
Congress shores up Ukraine and NATO
While the administration sends mixed signals on Ukraine, the NDAA allocates $400 million in security assistance to keep basic support flowing even if emergency funding stalls.
Trump has fluctuated between supportive and dismissive positions on Ukraine since taking office, but his recent push for a peace deal widely viewed as favorable to Moscow alarmed European capitals.
Beyond Europe, the bill also reinforces traditional US commitments, placing new barriers on reducing America’s 28,500 troops in South Korea—a key concern amid uncertainty over the future of US military posture in Asia.
Earlier, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Ukraine’s long-term security must be guaranteed because it serves as “the first line of defense” for the European Union.
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