The U.S. House of Representatives approved a defense policy bill on Wednesday, authorizing a record $895 billion in military spending. The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) passed with a bipartisan vote of 281-140 but included a contentious provision on gender-affirming care for transgender children.
Key Details
Massive Spending Package: The 1,800-page NDAA includes standard provisions for military equipment purchases and strategies to counter global competitors like China and Russia.
Support for Troops: It authorizes a pay increase of 14.5% for the lowest-ranking service members and 4.5% for others. Additional funding is allocated for constructing military housing, schools, and childcare centers.
Controversial Provision: The bill prohibits the military health program TRICARE, from covering gender-affirming care for transgender children of service members if it involves the risk of sterilization.
Political Implications
The inclusion of the transgender care restriction highlights the growing prominence of transgender issues in U.S. politics. Republicans have used these topics as part of their broader critique of "woke ideology."
House Speaker Mike Johnson commended the bill for prioritizing national defense over social policies, stating, "Our men and women in uniform should know their first obligation is protecting our nation, not woke ideology."
What’s Not Included
Some Republican-backed measures were excluded from the final bill, such as:
A ban on TRICARE covering gender-affirming care for transgender adults.
Reversing the Pentagon’s policy of funding abortion-related travel for troops stationed in states with restrictive abortion laws.
Next Steps
Senate Consideration: The NDAA has now moved to the Democratic-led Senate. If passed there, it will go to President Joe Biden for approval or veto.
Funding Requirement: While the NDAA sets policy, it does not allocate funds. Congress must pass a separate spending bill for fiscal year 2025 to finance the authorized programs.
Broader Context
This year’s NDAA reflects the annual tradition of bipartisan compromise in passing one of the few major legislative initiatives that Congress consistently approves. Despite political divisions, lawmakers have successfully passed the NDAA for over 60 years.
The Senate's decision and President Biden's response will determine the ultimate fate of the bill, which has stirred significant political debate while ensuring continued support for the U.S. military.
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