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TL/DR –
President Biden authorized a defense policy bill which increases overall military spending to $895 billion and provides significant wage hikes for junior enlisted service members. However, he expressed objections to some provisions, including the one that removes coverage for transgender medical treatments for children in military families. The legislation also focuses on countering China’s growing influence, notably via a fund that could be used to send military resources to Taiwan, investing in modern military technologies, and extending prohibitions on the military’s purchase of Chinese goods.
US President Signs Defense Bill Countering China and Boosting Military Spending
President Biden has signed a defense bill into law which greatly increases pay for junior enlisted service members, works to counteract China’s growing power, and raises overall military spending to $895 billion. However, he expressed opposition to a provision that eliminates coverage of transgender medical treatments for children in military families.
In a statement, President Biden asserted that no service member should have to choose between their family’s healthcare access and their call to serve the nation.
The bill was sent to the President after it was passed in the Senate by a vote of 85-14. Despite opposition from a majority of House Democrats due to the inclusion of the transgender medical care ban provision, it was easily passed with a vote of 281-140.
The President also took issue with provisions in the bill preventing the use of funds to transfer detainees held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, either to foreign countries or within the United States. He has called on Congress to lift these restrictions.
The annual defense authorization bill, guiding Pentagon policy, grants a 14.5% pay raise for junior enlisted service members and a 4.5% increase for others. It also directs resources towards confronting China, including establishing a fund for sending military resources to Taiwan in a manner similar to how the U.S. has supported Ukraine.
Investments in new military technologies, such as artificial intelligence, are also included in the bill, as well as boosting U.S. production of ammunition. The bill continues the recent trend of banning the military from purchasing Chinese products, with new restrictions on everything from Chinese garlic in military commissaries to drone technology.
The legislation still needs to be supported by a spending package.
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