The annual National Defense Authorization Act, which typically enjoys strong bipartisan support, has failed to pass Congress in nearly 60 years, but recent Pentagon policy actions have become a battleground for cultural issues. Republicans tried to address legislative priorities for social conservatives this year, contributing to months of negotiations over the bill and declining Democratic support.
Still, the bill easily passed 85-14 and was sent to President Joe Biden. Eleven senators who caucus with Democrats and three Republicans voted against the bill.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York said in a floor speech that the bill “is not perfect, but it still contains some very good things that Democrats won.” “There are strong provisions to confront the Chinese Communist Party here on national security grounds.”
A majority of Democrats in the House voted against the bill last week after Speaker Mike Johnson pushed for a provision that would ban military health care from providing medical care to transgender children. The bill passed easily by a vote of 281-140.
Senate Republican leaders argued that a 1% increase in defense spending is not enough, especially at a time of global unrest and challenges to American primacy. Senate Republicans have been pushing for more defense spending this year for generations, and they plan to push for more defense spending again once they take control of the White House and Congress next year. “We are currently experiencing the most dangerous national security moment since World War II,” said Republican Sen. Roger Wicker, who will chair the Senate Armed Services Committee next year. He is seeking a significant increase in defense funding that would break spending caps agreed to in last year’s bipartisan deal to suspend the nation’s debt ceiling. The annual National Defense Authorization Act dictates major policies for the Department of Defense, but they still need to be backed up with spending packages.
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) said in a floor speech this week that without a top-line increase, “key provisions in the bill, such as pay raises for noncommissioned officers, will remain an important weapon in deterring and sustaining conflict.” “This will come at the expense of investments in systems and ammunition.” safety. “
The law provides for a 14.5 percent pay increase for junior noncommissioned officers and a 4.5 percent pay increase for other members. Lawmakers said these are key to improving the quality of life for service members at a time when many military families rely on food banks and other government assistance programs to make ends meet.
“This includes significant quality-of-life improvements, child care, housing, medical services, and employment assistance for military spouses,” said Sen. Jack Reed (DR.I.), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee. This includes strengthening the
The bill also directs resources toward a more confrontational approach toward China, including establishing a fund that could be used to send military resources to Taiwan in much the same way the United States has supported Ukraine. It is also investing in new military technologies, such as artificial intelligence, and boosting U.S. munitions production.
The United States has also moved in recent years to ban its military from purchasing Chinese products, with the defense bill expanding the ban on everything from garlic in military commissaries to drone technology.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs last week responded to the move, calling the ban ridiculous.
“I don’t think we had any idea that garlic posed a ‘serious threat’ to the United States,” said Mao Ning, a ministry spokesman. “A growing number of Chinese-made products, from drones to cranes to refrigerators to garlic, are being accused by the US of ‘posing a national security risk.’ Did you provide evidence or arguments?
But in Congress, Republicans and Democrats are almost unanimous in their view that China is a growing threat. Rather, it was a culture war issue that divided lawmakers on the bill, which took months to negotiate.
In June, the Republican-controlled House of Representatives banned a Pentagon policy that reimburses service members who travel to other states for abortions, ended gender-affirming care for transgender soldiers, and reversed diversity efforts. They passed a bill to eliminate it. army.
Most of these provisions did not make it into the final package, but Republicans expect Donald Trump to make sweeping changes to Pentagon policy when he takes office in January.
The bill also still prohibits funding for teaching critical race theory within the military, and the TRICARE health plan would still prohibit funding for teaching critical race theory in the military if treatment could lead to “sterilization” of children under the age of 18. Prohibits coverage of treatment for gender dysphoria.
For some Democrats, banning medical treatment for transgender children, care they say could save lives, was a red line that shouldn’t be crossed.
Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) said in a floor speech that she has voted for the NDAA in the past, but will not vote this year. He said the policy change for transgender children would affect between 6,000 and 7,000 families, according to estimates his office has received.
“The NDAA reinforces the idea that what unites us more than what divides us, that our military and national defense should not be politicized, and that we put our country above political parties when the chips are on the table. “It took shape,” she said. Said. “Unfortunately, that was ignored this year. It was all about watering down the right of service members to get the medical care their children need.”
