Contentious Defense Policy Bill Approved by Senate, Heads to House
TL/DR –
The US Senate has passed a defense policy bill that authorizes the largest pay raise for troops in over two decades, but leaves out many policy priorities that social conservatives sought to include. The bill, which passed with a vote of 87-13, authorizes $886 billion for national defense programs for the current fiscal year, a 3% increase from the previous year. The bill does not include language blocking the Pentagon’s abortion travel policy or restricting healthcare for transgender service members, but freezes hiring for diversity and inclusion training in the military until a full accounting is completed and reported to Congress.
Senate Approves Defense Bill Authorizing Highest Military Pay Raise in Over Two Decades
On Wednesday, the Senate approved a defense policy bill authorizing the largest pay raise for troops in over two decades. However, the bill doesn’t address several policy priorities demanded by social conservatives, leading to an unusually contentious debate over a typically bipartisan effort. Both chambers had passed different versions of the bill in July, with certain priorities of social conservatives deemed unacceptable by Democrats and subsequently omitted from the final product to expedite its passage.
The bill, approved by the Senate with a 87-13 vote, is now set to face the House where opposition has been more outspoken. Notably, the bill excludes language barring the Pentagon’s policy on abortion travel or limiting gender-affirming healthcare for transgender service members and dependents.
Despite these exclusions, Republicans managed to secure certain concessions regarding diversity and inclusion training in the military. For instance, the bill halts hiring for such training until a comprehensive report on the program and its costs is prepared and presented to Congress.
The defense policy bill provides key guidelines for Pentagon operations that lawmakers will aim to fund through a subsequent appropriations bill. The bill proposes a 5.2% increase in service member pay, the largest in over 20 years, and authorizes $886 billion for national defense programs for the current fiscal year, marking a 3% increase from the previous year.
Senate Defense Bill Contains Short-Term Extension of Controversial Surveillance Program
This bill also includes a temporary extension of a surveillance program, aimed at preventing terrorism and catching spies. However, this program, known as Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, has critics from both political camps who see it as a threat to the privacy of ordinary Americans. The extension is designed to allow more time to reach a compromise.
Section 702 is a program that enables the U.S. government to collect communications of non-Americans located outside the country without a warrant for the purpose of collecting foreign intelligence. This tool has been essential in disrupting terror attacks, cyber threats, and other national security hazards.
Ongoing Defense Bill Controversies and Considerations
Despite its importance, the efforts to secure reauthorization of the program have faced potent bipartisan resistance. Democrats and Republican supporters of former President Trump have joined forces to demand improved privacy protections for Americans and have proposed various competing bills.
Additionally, the defense policy bill comes under consideration during an especially tumultuous global period, with ongoing wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, and China increasingly demonstrating its military power in the South China Sea.
Regarding Ukraine, the bill features the establishment of a special inspector general for Ukraine to address concerns about the proper use of taxpayer dollars. As for China, the bill includes the creation of a new training program with Taiwan and approves an agreement allowing Australia access to nuclear-powered submarines.
Many House Republicans are protesting the bill for maintaining a Pentagon rule allowing for travel reimbursement when a service member has to go out of state to get an abortion or other reproductive care. The Biden administration introduced the new rules after the Supreme Court overturned the nationwide right to an abortion, leading some states to limit or ban the procedure.
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