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Congressional leaders have agreed to the terms for this year defense policy billwith nearly $900 billion in spending, new limits on transgender-related medical care, and a significant raise for young US service members.
Approximately 1,800 pages detailing the new National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), legislation that describes the U.S. defense and national security priorities for each fiscal year, were released Saturday evening.
The bill details the policy for $895.2 billion in federal spending.
Speaker Mike JohnsonR-La., said the bill “refocuses our military on its core mission of defending the United States and its interests around the world by supporting law enforcement operations and the deployment of the National Guard on the Southwest Border, accelerating innovation and shortening the acquisition timeline for new weapons, supporting our allies and strengthening our nuclear posture and missile defense programs.”
Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to pass NDAA this month (Reuters)
It includes a 14.5 percent pay increase for junior enlisted troops, according to the Republican leader’s office.
Another provision states that “medical interventions for the treatment of gender dysphoria that could result in sterilization cannot be offered to a person under the age of 18”, referring to the transgender children of US service members.
The measure provoked a reaction from the Human Rights Council, which described it as an “attack” on the families of the military.
“This cruel and hateful law suddenly removes access to health care for the families of members of our armed forces, and could force service members to choose between staying in the military or provide health care for their children,” said Kelley, president of HRC. Robinson said in a statement.
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President Biden speaks to members of the 82nd Airborne Division at the G2A Arena on March 25, 2022, in Jasionka, Poland. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
The bill also includes elements of border security that Republicans had previously pushed for, including a bipartisan initiative to create a Northern Border Mission Center under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
According to Johnson’s office, he would also “fully support the deployment of the National Guard to the Southwest border to intercept illegal aliens and drugs.”
House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers, R-Ala., touted the significant pay raise for junior troops. He also said the NDAA “puts our service members first by increasing compensation, improving housing, supporting spouses of service members, increasing access to child care and ensuring access to care medical”.
Other provisions also limit diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) recruiting and the teaching of critical race theory in military-run schools.
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House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers touted the bill’s pay raise for junior troops. (Getty Images)
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The House is expected to vote on the NDAA next week.
The policy bill has traditionally passed with broad bipartisan support, except for some progressives and conservatives who are typically critical of the US defense industrial complex.
However, it’s not immediately clear how many Democrats will be disheartened enough by its anti-DEI and anti-transgender health care provisions to vote against mandatory legislation.
