Senate passes defense bill limiting USFK troop cuts

U.S. military helicopters parked at Camp Humphreys, a sprawling U.S. military base in Pyeongtaek, 65 kilometers south of Seoul, are seen in this Aug. 27 file photo. Yonhap

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate has passed an annual defense policy bill that includes a measure to restrict the Pentagon from reducing American troops in South Korea, about a month after the House of Representatives endorsed its version that calls for maintaining the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) troop level.

The upper chamber approved the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2026 in a 77-20 vote on Thursday, Congress' website showed. The final text of the Senate version was not immediately available, but reports said it included the measure restricting a USFK troop reduction.

The Washington Post said that it featured a requirement for the Pentagon to brief lawmakers before pulling out any U.S. troops from Europe or South Korea. Politico, a U.S. media outlet, reported that the bill would restrict the Pentagon from paring down U.S. troop levels in Europe and South Korea.

The House passed its version in a 231-196 vote Sept. 10.

Its bill noted the "sense of Congress" that the U.S. defense secretary should continue efforts to strengthen alliances and partnerships in the Indo-Pacific by maintaining the presence of around 28,500 U.S. service members, affirming the U.S.' "extended deterrence" commitment and enhancing mutual defense base cooperation.

Extended deterrence refers to the U.S.' pledge to use the full range of its military capabilities, including nuclear weapons, to defend its ally.

Before its finalization, the defense bill is set to go through a series of congressional procedures, including the process of narrowing gaps between the House and Senate versions and merging their respective texts.