WASHINGTON — The House overwhelmingly approved a comprehensive defense policy bill Thursday that aims to stem the epidemic of sexual assaults in the military, cover the cost of combat pay for the nation’s war-fighters, and fund new aircraft and ships.

The strong bipartisan vote was 350-69, and puts pressure on the Senate to act before it adjourns next week.

Reflecting the drawdown in Afghanistan and reduced defense spending, the bill would authorize $552.1 billion for the regular budget plus $80.7 billion for conflicts overseas in the fiscal year that began Oct. 1. It represents a compromise worked out by the top Republicans and Democrats on the House and Senate Armed Services committees after a similar bill stalled in the Senate just before Thanksgiving.

In appealing for support, Rep. Howard “Buck” McKeon, R-Calif., chairman of the House Armed Services panel, said the measure provides “badly needed reforms to help alleviate the crisis of sexual assault in the military.”

The comprehensive bill would provide a 1 percent salary increase for military personnel, keep construction going on bases and an aircraft carrier in Virginia, and pay for the destruction of chemical weapons in Syria.

The bill’s fate in the Senate is unclear. Senate Republicans are furious with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s tactics, accusing him of tyranny for changing the rules to reduce their power over nominations last month and denying them the opportunity to offer amendments on the defense bill.

In addition, several lawmakers want to add to the legislation a new batch of tough sanctions on Iran, which President Obama opposes.

Senior military leaders, including Army Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, have written to congressional leaders, pleading with them to approve the bill.

The legislation includes nearly two dozen provisions addressing the epidemic of sexual assault in the military. The Pentagon has estimated that 26,000 members of the military may have been sexually assaulted last year, though thousands were afraid to come forward for fear of inaction or retribution.

The bill would strip military commanders of their ability to overturn jury convictions, require a civilian review if a commander declines to prosecute a case and require that any individual convicted of sexual assault face a dishonorable discharge or dismissal. The bill also would provide victims with legal counsel, eliminate the statute of limitations for courts-martial in rape and sexual assault cases, and criminalize retaliation against victims who report a sexual assault.

The compromise adds another provision with strong bipartisan support that would change the military’s Article 32 proceedings to limit intrusive questioning of victims.