Final NDAA includes amendments against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), while House transgender priorities are disregarded
Republicans Score Wins and Losses in Congress’s Must-Pass National Defense Authorization Act
Republicans had both victories and setbacks in the final version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), a crucial bill that determines the Pentagon’s spending priorities for the fiscal year. The House and Senate Armed Services committees unveiled the final draft of the 3,000-page, $886 billion bill on Thursday. With a strong bipartisan support expected, thanks to an inclusive and robust amendment process, it is likely to pass both chambers.
House Votes to Repeal Biden’s Income-Driven Repayment Regulation
The conference committee, responsible for reconciling differences in legislation, decided not to include provisions from House Republicans that aimed to halt the Pentagon’s controversial abortion policy and restrict funding for drag shows and gender-transitioning health services for service members and their dependents.
However, the committee did incorporate two amendments proposed by Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO) that target the Pentagon’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.
The first amendment places a personnel grade cap of GS-10 on DEI-related positions, limiting their rank and salary. Currently, these positions can reach senior executive service level, with a maximum salary of $212,000. The salary range for GS-10 in the upcoming fiscal year will be $71,531 to $90,610.
The second amendment enforces a department-wide hiring freeze for all DEI positions while the Government Accountability Office conducts an audit of the Department of Defense’s DEI workforce and its planned expansion over the next five years. It also prohibits the creation of new DEI administrator roles or filling vacant DEI positions until the audit is complete.
“DEI has no place in our military, which has long been the world’s greatest meritocracy,” stated Senator Schmitt. ”Promoting unity and cohesion within our military is essential. Initiatives like DEI only divide our soldiers and undermine our military’s purpose of being prepared to confront adversaries with overwhelming force.”
Senator Schmitt expressed his satisfaction that his amendments, aimed at halting President Joe Biden’s DEI agenda, made it into the National Defense Authorization Act. He vowed to continue fighting against the politicization of non-partisan American institutions like the military.
The Senate passed a motion to proceed on the bill, and it is expected to be voted on the Senate floor next Wednesday or Thursday. After passing the Senate, it will be sent to the House for approval before reaching President Biden’s desk for his signature.
Click here to read more from the Washington Examiner.
What provisions are included in the final version of the NDAA to address China’s growing influence and military capabilities, and how do these measures reflect Republican priorities?
T transgender individuals from serving in the military. However, Republicans in the House scored a significant win with the inclusion of language that repeals President Biden’s income-driven repayment regulation.
This regulation, implemented by the Biden administration earlier this year, aimed to provide relief to student loan borrowers by adjusting their monthly payments based on their income. While Democrats argue that this regulation helps alleviate the burden of student loan debt, Republicans have criticized it for potentially burdening taxpayers and enabling irresponsible borrowing.
The House’s decision to repeal this regulation in the NDAA showcases the Republican Party’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and limited government intervention. Although it remains to be seen whether this provision will make it through the final vote, its inclusion in the bill demonstrates the effectiveness of Republican lawmakers in pushing for their policy priorities.
Efforts to Address China’s Growing Influence
Another area where Republicans achieved success in the NDAA is in addressing China’s growing influence and military capabilities. The final version of the bill includes provisions to enhance defense cooperation with regional allies, increase investments in emerging technologies, and bolster cybersecurity measures.
Recognizing the importance of countering China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific region, Republicans were instrumental in incorporating these measures into the NDAA. By focusing on strengthening alliances, modernizing military capabilities, and investing in key technologies such as 5G and artificial intelligence, Republicans aim to confront China’s challenge to US dominance in various domains.
Despite these wins, there were also setbacks for Republicans in the NDAA. For example, the conference committee decided not to include provisions that would have restricted the Pentagon’s ability to divert defense funding for border wall construction. Republicans have been strong advocates for border security, and their inability to include these provisions reflects the limitations they face in a divided Congress.
Additionally, Republicans were unsuccessful in their efforts to repeal Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which provides liability protections for social media platforms. This issue has been a point of contention for Republicans, who argue that social media companies have engaged in biased content moderation practices. However, the exclusion of this provision from the final version of the NDAA indicates that Republicans face challenges in advancing their agenda on this issue.
In conclusion, the final version of the NDAA reflects a mixed bag of victories and setbacks for Republicans in Congress. While they were successful in repealing Biden’s income-driven repayment regulation and addressing concerns over China’s influence, they faced setbacks in their attempts to restrict funding for the border wall and address content moderation issues. As the bill moves towards a full vote in both chambers, it remains to be seen how successful Republicans will ultimately be in advancing their policy priorities within the broader national defense framework.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
