US House passes $1 trillion defense bill despite Iran, Israel concerns

House of Representatives narrowly passed its version of a massive defence policy bill on ‌Wednesday, despite Democrats' concerns about its huge price tag, the Iran war and a provision that would boost Pentagon ties to Israel.

This year's bill faces major challenges, given deep partisan divisions within Congress on issues ranging from the massive size of the military budget, to the Iran war, aid to ​Israel and Ukraine and "culture war" ​causes like the treatment ⁠of transgender troops.

Republicans ​said the trillion-dollar spending is essential to support the military as it wages war in Iran, fund defense systems development and equipment purchases and provide benefits for the troops like raises of up to 7% and construction for barracks and family housing.