Hard-right House Republicans are actively using the annual bill that sets the United States military budget and policy as an opportunity to engage in political battles with the Biden administration on contentious issues such as abortion, race, and transgender rights. This threatens the bill’s passage and the longstanding bipartisan consensus in Congress regarding support for the Pentagon.
Republican leaders have scheduled votes on the $886 billion measure, but they have struggled to dissuade their ultraconservative colleagues from loading it up with politically charged provisions aimed at combatting what they label as “wokeness” in the military. These proposals, which include rolling back access to abortions for service members and defunding diversity and inclusion programs within the military, would alienate moderate Republicans and Democrats whose support is necessary to pass the bill in the House.
This situation has turned the annual defense policy bill into a crucial test of Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s leadership, following the revolt by far-right members over a debt ceiling deal he made with President Biden. The right-wing lawmakers threatened to stall the House to demand more control over the agenda, and they could potentially use the defense bill to enforce their priorities. Traditionally a piece of legislation with broad support across the political spectrum, the defense bill is now at risk of being entangled in these culture-war debates.
While this year’s bill aims to provide a significant raise for military personnel, counter the aggressive actions of China and Russia, and establish oversight for U.S. aid to Ukraine, it has increasingly become a battleground for cultural issues. With Republicans currently in control of the House, right-wing members are attempting to exploit the bill to advance their socially conservative agenda.
Essentially, this is a major facet of the Republican Party’s attack on President Biden and Democrats, accusing them of promoting radically liberal policies that infiltrate all aspects of American life. By focusing on the Pentagon, Republicans can connect their concerns about cultural issues to national security and patriotism, arguing that progressive policies are not only misguided but also dangerous.
Representative Chip Roy from Texas expressed his belief that the defense department should no longer be used as a “social engineering experiment.” He stated that he expects votes on rolling back Pentagon policies regarding abortion and diversity, indicating that he would not support the bill otherwise.
Conservatives have also proposed measures targeting transgender troops, including denying coverage for transition services and mandating the use of facilities corresponding to birth sex. Republicans have already managed to add provisions into the bill that aim to fuel culture-war debates, such as bans on drag shows on military bases and instruction on critical race theory.
Party leaders are concerned that these social policy demands from conservatives could fracture the bipartisan support they have built around the bill. Last month, 11 hard-right Republicans, including Representative Roy, brought the House to a standstill by withholding their votes for a rule governing legislative debate in protest of the debt ceiling deal. It remains uncertain if similar tactics will be employed to block consideration of the ground rules for the defense bill.
If the defense bill caters to conservatives’ demands, Republicans are unlikely to receive any support from Democrats in bringing it to the floor. Moreover, they may lose critical Democratic support needed to pass the bill if Republicans vote as a bloc to roll back Pentagon policies on race, gender, and abortion. Party-line passage of the bill is unprecedented on Capitol Hill and would further erode the rare bipartisan consensus in Congress.
Democrats argue that rolling back diversity initiatives at the Pentagon would undermine the military’s future. They stress the importance of a diverse force and express concern that exclusionary policies would hinder recruitment. They also express doubts that House Republican leaders will succeed in reining in conservatives’ demands.
If Republicans manage to bring the bill to the floor, mainstream Republicans could help defeat some of the socially conservative policy proposals put forth by conservatives. Representatives Don Bacon of Nebraska and Michael R. Turner of Ohio, both Republicans, have voiced their opposition to eliminating funding for diversity and inclusion programs in the Pentagon. They argue that it is essential to have policies addressing diversity, racism, and sexism.
Conservative lawmakers may face challenges persuading Republican moderates to undo a Pentagon policy that grants time off and travel reimbursement for service members seeking out-of-state abortions or related services. This policy aims to ensure equal access following the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade. While over 50 House Republicans have supported amendments seeking to change the Pentagon’s abortion policy, a few Republicans have criticized their party’s push to roll back access to abortions, emphasizing the importance of showing compassion to women.
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