Senate passes defense bill limiting USFK troop cuts

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 on Sept. 10. The House bill noted the "sense of Congress" that the U.S. defense secretary should continue efforts to strengthen alliances and partnerships in the IndWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times