Washington — The House is preparing to vote on the annual defense policy bill, which faces an uncertain future after Republicans successfully passed a series of conservative policy amendments. These amendments cover topics such as abortion, diversity, equity, inclusion programs, and gender transition procedures.
Typically, the National Defense Authorization Act receives bipartisan support and is passed each year. However, this year, congressional Democrats strongly oppose the bill, claiming that their GOP colleagues are using it as a means to promote their conservative policy agenda.
House Democratic leaders, including Hakeem Jeffries, Katherine Clark, and Pete Aguilar, have criticized the Republicans for turning the historically bipartisan bill into a platform for attacking reproductive freedom and imposing their right-wing ideology on the American people. They described the Republicans’ actions as extreme and reckless.
The Democratic leaders and the top Democrats on the House Armed Services Committee, who initially supported the defense bill with bipartisan backing, now plan to vote against it due to the changes made by Republicans on the House floor. They believe that the bill, which was once an example of compromise and functioning government, has now become a reflection of bigotry and ignorance.
The passage of the bill, despite opposition from Democrats, will be a crucial test for House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. In order for the plan to clear the lower chamber, McCarthy can only afford to lose four GOP votes. However, even if it passes the House, the defense package will face challenges in the Senate due to the GOP’s changes. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has announced that the upper chamber will develop its own version of the defense policy plan, potentially leading to further partisan debates as the House and Senate reconcile their two bills.
The $886 billion defense package includes a 5.2% pay raise for service members and addresses issues related to China and Russia. However, proposed changes concerning U.S. assistance to Ukraine, such as preventing cluster munitions from being sent to Ukraine and prohibiting security assistance to the country in its fight against Russia, were blocked by the House.
On conservative social policy issues, Republicans achieved narrow victories. The defense package now includes a provision that prevents the Defense Department from paying for or reimbursing expenses related to abortion services. This policy was implemented by the Pentagon after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last year. Alabama Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville has been using this policy as leverage to hold up military promotions and nominations.
An amendment that denies healthcare coverage for sex reassignment surgeries and hormone treatments for transgender service members was also passed narrowly. Additionally, a measure eliminating the Pentagon’s offices of diversity, equity, and inclusion, along with their personnel, was approved. Another provision from GOP Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado, which restricts a Defense Department agency that operates its schools from purchasing books containing “pornographic material” or promoting “radical gender ideology,” will be included in the defense policy bill.
Despite the controversies surrounding the bill, Republican Rep. Chip Roy from Texas expressed confidence that it will pass the House with overwhelming support from GOP lawmakers. He believes that this move will redirect the focus of the Department of Defense back to its core mission.
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