Article Summary –
The US House of Representatives, led by Republicans, passed an $895 billion defense policy bill that includes restrictions on abortion and transgender medical care in the military, as well as the elimination of all diversity, equity and inclusion offices across the Pentagon. The bill, which was largely supported by Republicans, will provide a 19.5% pay increase for troops, more generous allowances for military families, and increased funding for drone programs and AI technology development. However, the bill’s conservative policy mandates have led to opposition from Democrats, leading to concerns that the bill’s enactment may be delayed.
House Republicans Pass $895bn Defense Policy Bill Amid Controversy
The House Republicans narrowly approved an $895 billion defense policy bill on Friday. The bill imposes limitations on abortion access and transgender medical services in the military, and eradicates all diversity, equity and inclusion roles across the Pentagon.
The National Defense Authorization Act, typically popular, saw a significant shift in support when it passed a House committee with bipartisan backing last month. Democrats significantly objected to the bill as Republicans insisted on incorporating conservative policies for the second successive year.
The legislation proposes a 19.5% pay rise for troops, coupled with various improvements in the quality of life such as better housing and food allowances for military families and upgrades to military housing. It also reduces the number of F-35 fighter aircraft the Pentagon could purchase in the next year from 68 to 58. In addition, it boosts funding for drone programs and the development of artificial intelligence tech to counter Chinese aggression in the Indo-Pacific region.
Republicans expressed relief with the near-unanimous support, as Speaker Mike Johnson succumbed to pressure from his right-wing members and permitted the attachment of several provisions triggering cultural war issues. A proposal by Rep. Beth Van Duyne of Texas was approved on Thursday, which aims to revoke the Pentagon’s policy of granting time off and reimbursement for service members traveling out of state for an abortion.
Alongside the abortion policy amendment, the House Republicans introduced and passed a series of amendments that would ban drag shows on military bases, eliminate any diversity, equity and inclusion programs within the Pentagon, and prohibit uniformed services health care program from covering related medical care for transgender individuals. House bill also plans to end race-conscious college admissions policies for the U.S. service academies.
These hard-right policy riders in the House could potentially delay the defense measure enactment, similar to the previous year. The Democratic-led Senate will likely omit these measures and they are not expected to survive the reconciliation process to align competing legislative versions. President Biden would also likely veto them.
The military bill, which provides lawmakers a platform to display their support for national security and project military power globally, has been passed by Congress for over six decades.
Despite the controversy, Republicans and Democrats initially lauded the bill as it left committee, particularly for the proposed improvements in the quality of life for the troops. The bill plans to allocate over $800 million towards improving housing facilities for service members.
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