The House of Representatives has passed a comprehensive defense bill that includes controversial amendments related to abortion policy and other social issues. The amendments, which were pushed by conservative hardliners, have drawn criticism from Democrats and some moderate Republicans. The bill, known as the National Defense Authorization Act, sets the policy agenda and authorizes funding for the Department of Defense.
The defense bill authorizes $886 billion for national defense programs and includes a 5.2% pay increase for servicemembers. It also includes provisions aimed at countering China’s influence, improving military readiness and missile defense capabilities, and promoting technological innovation.
The decision to allow the contentious amendment votes was seen as a major concession by GOP leaders to conservatives, and it may foreshadow future legislative battles, including the high-stakes effort to fund the government.
The House Speaker, Kevin McCarthy, defended the strategy of allowing controversial amendments, stating that members actually have a voice with what the bill will look like at the very end. It doesn’t predetermine what will be in the bill.
However, the passage of the defense bill on a largely party-line vote of 219 to 210 underscored the power of conservative hardliners in the narrow GOP majority. Four Democrats crossed party lines to vote with Republicans, while four GOP members voted against the bill.
The bill will now move to the Democratic-controlled Senate, where it is expected to face opposition due to the controversial amendments. The Senate will need to reconcile its own version of the bill with the House-passed bill.
Among the controversial amendments included in the bill are provisions to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and staff in the Department of Defense, as well as measures to restrict access to abortion services and transgender healthcare. The House also passed an amendment barring a health care program for service members from covering hormone treatments for transgender individuals and gender confirmation surgeries.
The adoption of these conservative amendments has drawn criticism from Democrats, who accuse Republicans of pushing the defense bill to the right. The bill’s passage has also sparked debate within the Republican Party, with some members expressing concerns about the impact of the controversial amendments.
The Senate will begin considering its own version of the defense bill next week, setting the stage for further clashes with the House. The outcome of the legislative process remains uncertain, as both chambers will need to reach a compromise that can pass both houses.
As the debate over the defense bill continues, it highlights the ongoing influence of conservative hardliners within the Republican Party and sets the stage for future battles over important legislation.
