Senate approves $883.7B Defense Bill, includes 5.2% pay raise for service members
OAN’s Brooke Mallory
1:48 PM – Friday, December 15, 2023
A typically bipartisan endeavor became polarized when the Senate approved a defense policy bill on Wednesday that authorizes the largest pay increase for troops in over 20 years while simultaneously eliminating many of the policy goals that conservatives had been demanding.
After passing radically different versions of the measure in both Houses in July, lawmakers have been working on a final version for months. In order to bring the final product across the finish line, negotiators removed several of the conservative demands that were “unacceptable” to Democrats.
By a vote of 87–13, the Senate approved the measure. It now moves to the House, where opponents have expressed their concerns more outspokenly.
The measure does not contain language that would have restricted access to “gender-affirming care” for transgender service members and their families and it did not include verbiage to insinuate that the Pentagon’s abortion travel policy would be blocked.
However, in regards to diversity and inclusion training in the military, Republicans triumphed in winning some compromises. For instance, the measure prohibits employment for diversity and inclusion training unless all programs and expenses have been fully recorded and submitted to Congress.
The bill also establishes important Pentagon policies, which legislators will try to pay for with an additional appropriations bill. The bill’s 5.2% rise in service member pay, the largest increase in over 20 years, was emphasized by lawmakers. For the current fiscal year, which started on October 1st, the bill allocates $886 billion for national military initiatives, which is about 3% higher than the previous year.
The bill would ensure “America’s military remains state of the art at all times all around the world,” according to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.).
A short-term extension of a monitoring program with the goal of stopping terrorism and apprehending spies is also included in the law. However, critics of the program from both political parties also see it as a danger in some ways regarding the privacy of Americans.
The renewal keeps in place a program that enables the U.S. government to get foreign information by intercepting communications from non-U.S. citizens abroad without obtaining a warrant.
According to U.S. authorities, the tool, which was initially approved in 2008 and has subsequently been extended a number of times, is essential for thwarting cyber attacks, terror attacks, and other threats to national security.
However, the administration has also faced significant resistance from both parties in its attempts to get the program reauthorized. Longtime civil rights advocate Democrat Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) has teamed up with former President Donald Trump’s Republican backers to demand more privacy safeguards for Americans and has put forth a number of rival measures.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) was obliged to schedule a vote on the military policy measure using a procedure usually designated for noncontroversial legislation, since there is now enough opposition within the GOP ranks. Going that path eliminates the possibility of a few Republicans opposing the measure through a procedural vote, but it will require the support of at least two-thirds of the House to pass.
Although a procedure like this would make the measure easier to pass, Johnson might lose favor with some of the House’s most conservative members.
Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) learned recently that it just takes a few Republicans to effectively shut down House business or to end a speaker’s term, since eight Republicans had just teamed up with Democrat members to remove him from office.
The White House urged for a swift passage of the defense bill, saying it “provides the critical authorities we need to build the military required to deter future conflicts while supporting the servicemembers and their spouses and families who carry out that mission every day.”
Stay informed! Receive breaking news blasts directly to your inbox for free. Subscribe here. https://www.oann.com/alerts
Chicago students from low-income families would get the opportunity to attend private schools with help from a scholarship tax credit program.
with Luke Ball
with Bob Bianchi
with Marc Morano
The SEC denied a petition by the country’s largest crypto exchange Coinbase Global asking the agency to create new rules for the digital asset industry.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has doubled down on his vision for Worldcoin, following reports the company was seeking $50 million in funding.
Hewlett Packard said on Friday HP Inc’s finance chief Marie Myers would join the server maker as its chief financial officer.
Pope Francis has called for a legally binding international treaty to regulate artificial intelligence.
rnrn
What are the key provisions of the defense policy bill, and why have they received bipartisan support?
T passage of the defense policy bill, highlighting the importance of maintaining a strong and modern military. The bill’s provisions, including the largest pay increase for troops in over 20 years, have drawn bipartisan support. However, there are also divisive elements within the bill that have led to polarization and opposition from certain groups.
The passage of the defense policy bill in the Senate marked a significant achievement, with lawmakers from both parties coming together to approve the measure. After months of negotiations and the removal of certain conservative demands, the bill received bipartisan support in the Senate, with a vote of 87-13. Now, the bill moves to the House, where opponents are expected to voice their concerns more vehemently.
One of the contentious issues in the bill is the exclusion of language that would have restricted access to “gender-affirming care” for transgender service members and their families. Additionally, the bill does not include verbiage that would block the Pentagon’s abortion travel policy. These omissions have drawn criticism from conservative groups who view them as a disregard for their policy goals.
However, the bill does make some compromises regarding diversity and inclusion training in the military. Republicans were able to secure provisions that prohibit employment for diversity and inclusion training unless all programs and expenses are fully recorded and submitted to Congress. These compromises reflect the ongoing debate surrounding these issues and the efforts to find common ground.
The defense policy bill also establishes important Pentagon policies that will be funded through an additional appropriations bill. Lawmakers have emphasized the bill’s 5.2% increase in service member pay, the largest in over 20 years. The bill allocates $886 billion for national military initiatives, which is about 3% higher than the previous year. This funding is crucial to ensuring that America’s military remains state-of-the-art and capable of addressing threats around the world.
In addition to the military provisions, the bill includes a short-term extension of a monitoring program aimed at countering terrorism and apprehending spies. This program allows the U.S. government to intercept communications from non-U.S. citizens abroad without obtaining a warrant. While authorities argue that this program is essential for national security, critics from both parties have raised concerns about its impact on the privacy of Americans.
The renewal of this program has faced resistance from both Democrats and Republicans, with calls for stronger privacy safeguards. Democrat Senator Ron Wyden and Republican backers of former President Donald Trump have joined forces to push for additional privacy measures. The debate surrounding this program highlights the delicate balance between national security and individual privacy.
House Speaker Mike Johnson faced challenges in scheduling a vote on the military policy measure due to opposition within the GOP ranks. He had to use a procedure usually reserved for noncontroversial legislation, which eliminates the possibility of a few Republicans opposing the measure through a procedural vote but requires the support of at least two-thirds of the House to pass. While this procedural strategy may make the measure’s passage easier, it could also strain relationships with conservative members of the House.
Overall, the defense policy bill represents a significant bipartisan effort to address military funding and policies. It includes provisions that enjoy widespread support, such as the pay increase for troops. However, it also contains divisive elements that have led to opposition and polarization. The bill’s journey through the House will likely involve further debate and negotiation as lawmakers seek to find a balance between different policy goals and priorities.
" 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
Now loading...