In a significant move towards bolstering national defense, the Senate has approved the military defense bill, paving the way for a potential showdown with House Republicans. The bill, known as the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), grants authorization for $886 billion over the next year. This development comes after Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., successfully called for a formal House-Senate conference to reconcile the differences between the two chambers.
Wicker, the leading Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, seized the opportunity to trigger a meeting between the Senate and the House to finalize a unified package. His efforts were met with bipartisan support, as the Senate passed its version of the bill in July with an 86-11 vote. The bill includes a 5.2% pay increase for military personnel, $9.1 billion to enhance competitiveness with China, investments in military drone technology, and $300 million in aid to Ukraine.
While the Senate’s bill avoids addressing controversial issues such as abortion and transgender services, it does address concerns raised by Republicans regarding progressive policies within the Pentagon. Provisions have been included to prevent the mandating of preferred pronouns in official correspondence and to halt diversity quota hires.
However, reaching an agreement between the Senate and the House is expected to be a challenging task, as the two chambers have divergent approaches. The House recently approved its version of the bill, which incorporates several Republican amendments aimed at dismantling the Pentagon’s abortion policy and restricting transgender-affirming treatments for service members seeking procedures out of state.
This clash between the Senate and House Republicans sets the stage for a high-stakes battle over the future of the military defense bill. President Biden has previously indicated his unwillingness to sign a package filled with hard-line GOP priorities, raising the possibility of further negotiations and potential compromises.
As the conference to reconcile the differences between the Senate and the House is set to take place after Thanksgiving, the outcome remains uncertain. The final version of the bill will have significant implications for national defense and the priorities of the US government.
About the Author:
Jamie Joseph is a writer who covers politics and leads digital coverage of the Senate. Stay updated with the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews, and more political content by subscribing to her newsletter.
