Biden to Veto GOP House Defense Bill
President Joe Biden is taking a firm stance on the 2024 defense bill. The White House has declared that if presented with the House version of the bill, Biden will veto it. This announcement comes as the administration criticizes certain Republican provisions in the bill that go against their policies.
The White House released a statement on September 11 expressing its strong opposition to H.R. 4365, the House version of the Department of Defense Appropriations Act (NDAA) for the fiscal year ending in 2024. The House passed its $886 billion defense bill in July, which aligned with the Biden administration’s funding request. However, the bill included several Republican amendments related to diversity, equity, inclusion initiatives (DEI), abortion, and transgender policies. The administration had previously voiced its opposition to these amendments.
The White House emphasized that the agreement reached in May between the Biden administration and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) regarding the debt limit deal and the passage of the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) of 2023 was to maintain spending for non-defense programs at similar levels to FY 2023.
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However, House Republicans are deviating from this agreement by proposing partisan bills that significantly cut domestic spending. These cuts would have severe consequences for climate change and clean energy programs, essential nutrition services, law enforcement, consumer safety, education, and healthcare.
The White House warns that H.R. 4365 would repeal provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act, causing unacceptable harm to clean energy and energy efficiency initiatives.
H.R. 4365 also prohibits DOD programs from offering sex reassignment surgeries and gender hormone treatments for transgender individuals. It blocks the defense department from providing gender transition procedures through a program designed for special-needs family members.
The bill includes measures to counter DEI programs at the Pentagon, such as a policy that prevents the DOD’s educational arm from purchasing books promoting “radical gender ideology” or containing pornographic content. It also prohibits schools under the Defense Department from teaching that the United States or its founding is racist.
House Versus Senate
After the Republican-controlled House passed its defense bill in July, the Democrat-controlled Senate passed its own version, removing some of the GOP amendments. Now, members of both chambers will need to negotiate a compromise on the NDAA to create a bill that can pass in both houses. Ultimately, it will be up to President Biden to sign it into law.
This clash between the House and Senate bills is a departure from historical norms. The NDAA has typically been passed every year with strong bipartisan support since 1961. However, this year, Republican pushback against the Biden administration’s social justice agenda has created this divide.
The House defense bill passed by a narrow margin of 219–210, while the Senate version passed with a vote of 86–11. It’s worth noting that the Senate is evenly split between Democrats and Republicans, with a 51–49 seat distribution.
Passing the NDAA
The House of Representatives is set to consider the defense bill this week as it reconvenes following the August recess. While the Senate aims to adhere to the spending level agreed upon by President Biden and Mr. McCarthy, some House Republicans are pushing for a spending level $120 billion lower than the agreement.
This week promises to be interesting, as lawmakers on both sides work to find common ground and ensure the passage of the NDAA.
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