Wicker supports GOP on abortion, urges Pentagon funding debates to avoid social matters.
Sen. Roger Wicker Calls for Focus on Military Readiness in Senate Deliberations
Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS), the ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, is urging the upcoming Senate deliberations on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to prioritize military readiness over social issues.
The Senate is set to debate the NDAA this week, which outlines policy for the Pentagon and authorizes $886 billion in spending for national defense in fiscal 2024. However, the version passed by the House last week included several partisan provisions that received strong support from Republicans and near-unanimous dissent from Democrats.
House Republicans Push for Changes in Defense Policies
House Republicans voted to include provisions in their version of the bill that would end the Pentagon’s diversity and inclusion efforts, as well as its current policies on abortion and trans service members. However, Senate Democrats, who hold the majority, are unlikely to include many of these amendments.
Sen. Wicker supports the efforts to change the department’s diversity and inclusion efforts but wants the Senate to avoid other social issues. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on readiness and providing the necessary tools for the military to deter conflict.
“Well, I’m very comfortable with what the House has done there,” Wicker told the Washington Examiner. “You’ll see if Chairman [Jack] Reed wants to stay away from things like that and simply leave it as an issue for the conference. I hope to concentrate on readiness and getting our brave men and women the tools they need to deter conflict and stay away from these social issues.”
Committee Approves NDAA Despite Controversial Amendment
The Senate Armed Services Committee voted overwhelmingly to pass the bill out of committee, despite a narrowly approved amendment introduced by Sen. Wicker. This amendment would prohibit the military from prioritizing demographic characteristics over individual merit and performance.
Wicker explains, ”Promote the best. Work toward diversity. But let’s resist when it comes to this idea of equal outcomes. And that’s what they’re talking about when they say equity. So equal opportunity, emphatic yes. Equal outcomes, that’s not the American way and that’s not what has made our military strong.”
Controversy Surrounding DOD’s Abortion Policy
The Department of Defense’s (DOD) abortion policy has become a highly partisan issue in relation to the NDAA. Following the Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade and the enactment of restrictive abortion laws, the Pentagon announced an updated policy that includes reimbursing travel expenses for service members or dependents who need to travel out of state for an abortion due to local laws.
Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) has held up military nominations for approximately six months due to this policy, arguing that it violates the federal prohibition on taxpayer funding of abortion. Tuberville’s hold has blocked around 260 nominations, including senior defense leaders. If the hold continues through the rest of the year, that number could exceed 650.
While Wicker does not support the Pentagon’s abortion policy, he acknowledges the need to fill top general positions. He states, “We need to get our top generals placed. We are exploring a number of ways to make concrete steps in that direction.”
Senators are scheduled to receive a briefing on the policy on Wednesday, and Tuberville and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin are expected to continue their discussions this week.
Click here to read more from the Washington Examiner.
The position of commandant in the Marine Corps is currently held by Gen. Eric Smith in an acting capacity. Smith has not been confirmed to the top position due to Tuberville’s hold. Several other departures from the Joint Chiefs of Staff are expected in the next three months, and it remains uncertain whether Tuberville’s hold will still be in place.
“I have been told by senior military officers, the top military officers, that it does constitute a real problem in getting the job done,” Wicker added. “Marine generals with four stars on their shoulders that told me straightforward … that it is [a] problem they’re having to get around. It’s something I hope we can resolve.”
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