House supports ‘culture war’ amendments in defense bill, guaranteeing a showdown in final vote.

House conservatives are taking a stand against the Biden administration’s “woke” politicization of the military. They are bundling the defense budget with amendments aimed at reversing the implementation of “radical race theories” in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.

During a 10-hour session on July 13, the Republican-led House repealed the Department of Defense’s abortion travel policy, banned gender transition procedures in DOD health care programs, and introduced several other amendments targeting DEI programs. These amendments are being added to the must-pass defense budget, which is typically approved with bipartisan support.

Democrats are pushing back, arguing that the defense budget is being held hostage by a small group of House conservatives known as the House Freedom Caucus. They claim that these conservatives are imposing an “extreme right-wing agenda” on the military and the nation.

The proposed $886.3 billion defense budget, known as the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), was met with heated debates on the House floor. A total of 370 amendments were proposed, including 80 hot-button amendments.

80 Hot-Button Amendments

Both the House and Senate have already adopted their versions of the NDAA. The House voted 58-1 in favor, while the Senate voted 24-1.

The defense budget is set to be implemented at the start of the new fiscal year on Oct. 1. The House is expected to formally adopt the NDAA on July 14.

While both chambers’ defense spending plans align with the Biden administration’s requested budget, the Senate version of the NDAA, which will be introduced next week, does not include the amendments targeting “woke” policies.

The House began reviewing the 80 proposed amendments on the day of the deliberations. The House Rules Committee had previously forwarded 290 proposed add-ons, many of which are non-controversial and will be voted on as a package.

DOD Abortion Travel Policy ‘Illegal’

One of the adopted amendments sought to repeal a DOD policy that reimburses expenses for service members who travel to obtain an abortion from a state where the procedure is restricted to a state where it is permitted. The amendment passed in a near-total partisan vote, 221-213.

Representative Ronny Jackson (R-Texas) argued that the policy was implemented by the Biden administration to expand abortion access and force taxpayers to subsidize abortion services, in violation of U.S. Code Title 10.

Representative Mikie Sherrill (D-N.J.) opposed the amendment, calling it a “dangerous health care travel ban” for women in the military. She highlighted the impact on women serving in states where abortion is restricted or banned.

Other representatives, including Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.) and Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), argued that the amendment is part of a larger GOP plan to implement a federal abortion ban.

Representative Mike Rogers (R-Ala.), Chair of the House Armed Services Committee, defended the amendment, stating that the DOD’s abortion policy goes against moral principles and is unlawful.

Representative Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.), an Air Force veteran, dismissed claims that repealing the policy harms women in the service, emphasizing the importance of standing for life.

Taking ‘A Meat Clever to DEI’

Other adopted amendments address the provision of gender transition procedures and the elimination of DEI programs and offices within the DOD. These amendments aim to combat critical race theory (CRT) and prevent funding for programs that promote race-based concepts.

Representative Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) introduced a proposal to prohibit federal funds for DEI training, highlighting the need to remove DEI from the military. While this particular amendment did not pass, Gaetz defended the overall effort to uproot DEI from the DOD.

Representative Steven Horsford (D-Nev.)