The Republican-controlled House has successfully passed the $886 billion National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), overcoming conservative objections to certain provisions. The bill, which now heads to President Joe Biden for approval, maintains a longstanding tradition of defense policy legislation becoming law for the 63rd consecutive year. Despite conservative pushback on issues such as federal surveillance powers and culture war topics, the NDAA secured a 310-118 vote.
Conservative Opposition and Compromises
While the compromise version of the NDAA secured bipartisan support, it faced resistance from conservative quarters, particularly the House Freedom Caucus. Opposition centered on a short-term extension of federal surveillance powers, and the absence of hardline provisions on abortion, transgender troops, and diversity in the military. The compromise, facilitated by bypassing procedural votes, required a two-thirds majority to pass.
Contentious Surveillance Extension
The inclusion of a four-month renewal of surveillance powers, specifically Section 702 targeting foreigners’ communications, drew criticism from hardliners. However, Speaker Mike Johnson defended the move, emphasizing the necessity to buy time for lawmakers to overhaul the program. Despite the objections, the bill succeeded, with Democrats contributing more votes than Republicans.
Conservative Discontent and Critics’ Perspectives
Hardline conservatives, led by the House Freedom Caucus, expressed dissatisfaction, viewing the final agreement as lacking substantial conservative wins. Criticisms focused on the absence of GOP-backed measures, including blocking the Pentagon’s abortion travel policy and restricting gender-affirming medical care for transgender troops. The compromise was deemed by some as essentially adopting the Senate bill with minimal concessions.
Trump Era Policies and Compromises
While many contentious proposals were dropped to secure the compromise, the NDAA still features conservative policy wins. These include a pay cap and hiring freeze for Pentagon diversity programs, a prohibition on funding for critical race theory, and restrictions on displaying unapproved flags, including the Pride Flag, on military installations.
Final Approval and Ongoing Concerns
With President Biden expected to sign the NDAA, the bill authorizes an $886 billion national defense budget. However, it’s crucial to note that the bill does not allocate funding, necessitating Congress’s approval of a full-year appropriations bill for the Pentagon in the coming year. The NDAA also includes provisions related to Ukraine’s arming, the Pacific Deterrence Initiative, and the AUKUS submarine pact.
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