{"id":2381444,"date":"2024-12-18T13:21:02","date_gmt":"2024-12-18T18:21:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/senate-passes-ndaa-sending-annual-defense-bill-to-bidens-desk\/"},"modified":"2024-12-18T13:22:26","modified_gmt":"2024-12-18T18:22:26","slug":"senate-passes-ndaa-sending-annual-defense-bill-to-bidens-desk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/senate-passes-ndaa-sending-annual-defense-bill-to-bidens-desk\/","title":{"rendered":"Senate passes NDAA, sending annual defense bill to Biden\u2019s desk"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fsenate-passes-ndaa-sending-annual-defense-bill-to-bidens-desk%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2381444&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The Senate has\u2062 passed the National Defense \u200cAuthorization Act (NDAA) \u2062for 2024, a\u200b crucial piece\u200d of legislation that outlines \u200bfunding and policies for the Department of Defense. This significant bill was approved with little time too spare, as it must be enacted before the end of the year. It passed with a strong bipartisan\u200d vote\u2063 of 85-14 \u2062in the Senate after \u2063earlier approval in the house of Representatives with a vote of 281-140. \u200bPresident biden is expected to sign it into law\u2063 shortly.<\/p>\n<p>The \u200bNDAA,which spans around 1,800 pages and costs\u200b $895 billion,includes a \u2063modest spending increase and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-calls-for-auto-union-and-big-three-automakers-to-reach-deal-avoid-strike\/\" title=\"Biden urges auto union and Big Three automakers to settle, prevent strike.\">significant \u2063pay raises<\/a> for military personnel.However, it has sparked controversy due\u200c to \u200cprovisions concerning\u2063 healthcare, notably a ban on\u2064 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/god-loves-me-10-year-old-trans-child-quotes-bible-to-tell-tx-legislators-why-they-shouldnt-ban-trans-surgeries-procedures-for-minors\/\" title=\"\u2018God Loves Me\u2019: 10-Year-Old Trans Child Quotes Bible To Tell TX Legislators Why They Shouldn\u2019t Ban Trans Surgeries, Procedures For Minors\">gender-affirming care<\/a> for children\u2064 of service members, which prompted backlash from some Democratic\u2062 lawmakers. The legislation reflects negotiations between both parties,but certain provisions related to transgender care were primarily pushed by house Republicans.Senate \u200bMajority Leader Chuck Schumer\u2062 acknowledged that while the NDAA may not\u2064 satisfy everyone,bipartisanship \u200cwas essential for its passage.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Senate passes NDAA, <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\">sending <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/hispanic-caucus-takes-aim-at-african-american-veterans-service-on-key-panel\/\" title=\"Hispanic Caucus Takes Aim at African-American Veteran\u2019s Service on Key Panel\">annual defense bill<\/a><\/a> to Biden&rsquo;s desk in nick of time<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1910978\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>The Senate passed on Wednesday the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ndaa\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"National Defense Authorization Act\">National Defense Authorization Act<\/a>, the annual defense bill that authorizes <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/department-of-defense\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Department of Defense\">Defense Department<\/a> policies and funding levels.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Approval of the sweeping, must-pass legislation came with little time to spare: The 2024 NDAA expires at year&rsquo;s end, and this is the Senate&rsquo;s last working week of the year.<\/p>\n<p>The NDAA passed 85-14 in the Democratic Senate. <\/p>\n<p>The Republican House <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/3256553\/ndaa-passes-house-bipartisan-defense-policy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"approved the NDAA\">approved the NDAA<\/a> last week 281-140. It now heads to President Joe Biden&rsquo;s desk, who is expected to swiftly sign it into law.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Of course, the NDAA is not perfect,&rdquo; Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said. &ldquo;It doesn&rsquo;t have everything either side would like. It includes some provisions that we Democrats would not have added and other provisions we would want left out entirely. But, of course, you need bipartisanship to get this through the finish line.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The 1,800-page bill costs $895 billion, marking a roughly 1% spending increase but with a 14.5% pay raise for junior enlisted members, known as E-4 and below, and a 4.5% raise for all other members.<\/p>\n<p>Healthcare-related issues created the most heartburn among lawmakers who ultimately opposed the legislation.<\/p>\n<p>A culture war provision regarding transgender care drew the most controversy, prompting rebellion from Democrats in both chambers. Under the bill, gender-affirming care for children of service members will be prohibited.<\/p>\n<p>The NDAA was negotiated between Republicans and Democrats in both chambers, but the transgender treatment ban was the result of House GOP leaders, particularly Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA). He said the provision, along with restricting critical race theory in military academies and race-based rules known as diversity, equity, and inclusion, will &ldquo;refocus the Pentagon on military lethality, not radical woke ideology.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We banned Tricare from prescribing treatments that would ultimately sterilize our kids, and we gutted the DEI bureaucracy,&rdquo; Johnson told reporters.<\/p>\n<p>Democrats accused Johnson of using the ban to preserve his speakership in the new Congress that will be seated on Jan. 3, 2025.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), left, talks with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), right, as they wait for the arrival of Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo\/John McDonnell)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), who won a competitive battleground race last month to a third term, voted against the NDAA for the first time. She and a group of Senate Democrats pushed for an amendment to remove the ban.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I, for one, trust these service members and their families to make their own decisions about healthcare, without politicians butting in,&rdquo; Baldwin said. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s flat-out wrong to put this provision in this bill and take away a service member&rsquo;s freedom to make that decision for their families.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The provision even drew some criticism from Republicans over concerns about keeping the NDAA as bipartisan as possible.<\/p>\n<p>House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-AL) said Johnson did not give him a heads-up about the transgender care ban and argued that it was unnecessary because President-elect Donald Trump will soon be in office.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know why this is in the bill when Jan. 20, it&rsquo;s a moot point,&rdquo; Rogers told <a href=\"https:\/\/thehill.com\/policy\/defense\/5033526-mike-rogers-ndaa-gender-affirming-care\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">the<\/a><em><a href=\"https:\/\/thehill.com\/policy\/defense\/5033526-mike-rogers-ndaa-gender-affirming-care\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">  Hill<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>Johnson is also credited for stripping out an expansion of coverage for in vitro fertilization treatment under the military&rsquo;s healthcare program, known as Tricare. IVF and other fertility treatments are only covered if service members must use such services due to injuries that occurred in the line of duty.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/3240974\/meet-new-congress-house-senate-freshmen-119th\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"><strong>MEET THE NEW CONGRESS: THE HOUSE AND SENATE FRESHMEN ELECTED TO SERVE NEXT YEAR<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>To no avail, Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), an Army National Guard veteran who used IVF, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.duckworth.senate.gov\/imo\/media\/doc\/241204_-_senator_tammy_duckworth_letter_to_president-elect_trump_-_ivf_coverage_requirement_for_usservicemembersandmilitaryfamilies.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">lobbied Trump<\/a> to pressure Republicans to support the IVF expansion. Trump previously pledged on the campaign trail to support having the government or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/is-health-insurance-really-insurance\/\" title=\"Is Health Insurance Really Insurance?\">insurance companies pay<\/a> for all IVF treatments.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The speaker remains pro-IVF and has encouraged states to take up the issue responsibly and ethically,&rdquo; a Johnson spokesperson said. <\/p>\n<p><em>Cami Mondeaux contributed to this report.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1910978\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1910978\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Senate passes NDAA, sending defense bill to Biden just in time<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3108,"featured_media":2381445,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/senate-passes-ndaa.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[46596,32366,3740],"class_list":["post-2381444","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-defense-bill","tag-ndaa","tag-senate"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/senate-passes-ndaa.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2381444","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3108"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2381444"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2381444\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2381448,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2381444\/revisions\/2381448"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2381445"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2381444"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2381444"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2381444"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}