{"id":2517802,"date":"2025-12-05T06:27:02","date_gmt":"2025-12-05T11:27:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ivf-china-and-housing-congress-works-through-ndaa-holdups\/"},"modified":"2025-12-05T06:29:44","modified_gmt":"2025-12-05T11:29:44","slug":"ivf-china-and-housing-congress-works-through-ndaa-holdups","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ivf-china-and-housing-congress-works-through-ndaa-holdups\/","title":{"rendered":"IVF, China, and housing: Congress works through NDAA holdups"},"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\">18<\/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%2Fivf-china-and-housing-congress-works-through-ndaa-holdups%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=2517802&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 article discusses ongoing last-minute negotiations delaying the release of Congress&#8217;s annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), a key defense policy bill expected to pass soon. Some issues have been resolved, including scrapping a White House-backed artificial intelligence moratorium, and provisions requiring the FBI to notify Congress about investigations of federal candidates. Though, disagreements remain over expanding in vitro fertilization (IVF) coverage for service members, with House Speaker mike Johnson opposing current language due to pro-life concerns.Additionally, new restrictions on U.S. investments in China and a <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" ><a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/increases-in-price-inventory-lead-to-7b-in-homes-for-sale-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"Increases in price, inventory lead to B in homes for sale - Washington Examiner\">major housing bill<\/a> remain sticking points<\/a>. the White House is also pushing for greater authority to counter drones during the upcoming World Cup, facing some Senate opposition.The NDAA, a must-pass annual bill, often faces last-minute additions unrelated to national security. Lawmakers from both chambers are working to resolve outstanding issues before finalizing the legislation.  <\/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\">IVF, China, and housing: Congress works through final defense bill holdups<\/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\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2423547\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Eleventh-hour negotiations are delaying the release of <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/congress\/\">Congress&rsquo;s<\/a> <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 sweeping policy blueprint for the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/pentagon\/\">Pentagon<\/a> that leadership hopes to pass in the next two weeks.<\/p>\n<p>The <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ndaa\/\">National Defense Authorization Act<\/a> was slated for release on Thursday, teeing up a final vote before the end of the year. But that timeline has slipped by a couple of days, with text now expected to be made public this weekend, according to a source familiar with the matter.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3907923\/senate-confirm-10-trump-nominees-snafu-democrats\/\">Trump scores 10 extra nominees after snafu with Senate Democrats<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3907133\/senate-democrats-three-year-obamacare-subsidy-bill-gop-jeers\/\">Senate Democrats settle on three-year Obamacare subsidy bill, drawing GOP jeers<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3906382\/senate-democrats-demand-paul-ingrassia-removal-trump-administration\/\">Senate Democrats demand removal of Paul Ingrassia from GSA and &#8216;any other&#8217; administration role<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Lawmakers have resolved some sticking points ahead of a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/section\/news\/house\/\">House<\/a> vote that is still planned for next week. House GOP leaders scrapped a White House-backed moratorium on state <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/artificial-intelligence\/\">artificial intelligence<\/a> laws that <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3904103\/john-thune-casts-doubt-ai-moratorium-white-house-gop-leaders\/\">faced strong opposition<\/a> in their chamber and the Senate.<\/p>\n<p>Rep. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/elise-stefanik\/\">Elise Stefanik<\/a> (R-NY), meanwhile, will get her provision <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3905164\/elise-stefanik-mike-johnson-agreed-include-amendment-fbi-accountability-ndaa\/\">requiring the FBI to notify<\/a> Congress if candidates for federal office are under investigation. Stefanik had accused House Speaker <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/mike-johnson\/\">Mike Johnson<\/a> (R-LA) of initially torpedoing the language, something he denies.<\/p>\n<p>The remaining holdups relate to language on <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ivf\/\">in vitro fertilization<\/a> that Johnson opposes in its current form, plus a major housing bill that the Financial Services Committee is negotiating. New restrictions on U.S. investments in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/china\/\">China<\/a> have also become a sticking point on that panel.<\/p>\n<p>As one of the only must-pass pieces of legislation each year, the NDAA is routinely inundated with last-minute requests, some for language that has nothing to do with <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/section\/policy\/national-security\/\">national security<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>But the delay can also be attributed to disputes between the House and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/section\/senate\">Senate<\/a>, which passed their own versions of the legislation in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3801780\/ndaa-passes-house-amendment-repeal-iraq-war-authorizations-aumf\/\">September<\/a> and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3844961\/senate-pass-annual-defense-bill-ndaa-shutdown\/\">October<\/a>, respectively.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-drone-powers\">Drone powers<\/h2>\n<p>In terms of the<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/section\/news\/white-house\/\"> White House<\/a>, officials still want more <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.politico.com\/news\/2025\/11\/26\/white-house-asks-congress-for-power-to-take-down-drones-00670564\">authority to counter drones<\/a> at next year&rsquo;s World Cup and are pressing for the inclusion of new language. Andrew Giuliani, the executive director of a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/world-cup\/\">World Cup<\/a> task force, briefed Senate Republicans at their Wednesday conference lunch on the security concerns.<\/p>\n<p>The provision faces opposition from members of the Senate&rsquo;s homeland security panel, according to a source familiar with the matter, as well as some Democrats.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/3892001\/trump-topple-china-global-drone-monopoly\/\"><strong>HOW TRUMP MAY TOPPLE CHINA&rsquo;S GLOBAL DRONE MONOPOLY WITHOUT LIFTING A FINGER<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ted-cruz\/\">Ted Cruz<\/a> (R-TX), whose Commerce Committee has jurisdiction over aviation, has rebutted reporting that he is opposed to the language.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We are happy to work with the administration on this proposal and any suggestion to the contrary is simply untrue,&rdquo; a spokeswoman said in a statement.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-ivf\">IVF<\/h2>\n<p>At the leadership level, Johnson is objecting to language expanding IVF treatment for service members, siding with the anti-abortion community&rsquo;s concern that embryos get discarded as part of the procedure.<\/p>\n<p>As it stands, the NDAA was slated to offer coverage for all enrollees in TRICARE, the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/health-insurance\/\">health insurance<\/a> program for service members and their families, versus the narrow eligibility offered today to members whose infertility was due to &ldquo;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/tricare.mil\/CoveredServices\/IsItCovered\/AssistedReproductiveServices\">severe illness or injury while on active duty<\/a>.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Previously, Johnson has said Congress should <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/CBSMornings\/status\/1765727313084182993?s=20\">not get involved<\/a> in legislating on IVF, but this week left the door open to a compromise, either as part of the NDAA or another piece of legislation.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\">[Donald]  Trump<\/a> and Congressional Republicans have been working to lower costs and expand access to IVF,&rdquo; a Johnson spokeswoman said in a statement. &ldquo;The Speaker has clearly and repeatedly stated he is supportive of access to IVF when sufficient pro-life protections are in place, and he will continue to be supportive when it is done responsibly and ethically.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Democrats, meanwhile, have pointed to the impasse to <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ms.now\/news\/mike-johnson-works-in-secret-to-strip-ivf-health-coverage-from-defense-bill\">accuse<\/a> Republicans of breaking Trump&rsquo;s promise to make IVF more affordable. A source familiar with the deliberations said that no decision has been made on whether to strip the language from the NDAA.<\/p>\n<p>Johnson&rsquo;s Senate counterpart, Majority Leader <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/john-thune\/\">John Thune<\/a> (R-SD), told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> Thursday that he was not &ldquo;focused&rdquo; on the IVF provision.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;There are a lot of issues around the NDAA that we&rsquo;re trying to resolve here to get it wrapped up and closed out,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t have an opinion for you on that one.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Outside of Congress, the White House announced a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/healthcare\/3853700\/trump-costs-ivf-fertility-care\/\">deal with a Merck subsidiary<\/a> in October to reduce the cost of certain fertility drugs.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-investments-in-china\">Investments in China<\/h2>\n<p>Lawmakers came close to imposing new restrictions on U.S. investments in China last year, with leadership successfully adding the measure to a government funding bill. But that effort collapsed after Tesla CEO <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/elon-musk\/\">Elon Musk<\/a>, at the time an influential ally of Trump, railed against how large the spending bill had gotten, effectively forcing Republicans to slim down the package and remove the investment language.<\/p>\n<p>Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/john-cornyn\/\">John Cornyn<\/a> (R-TX), the lead co-sponsor in the Senate, successfully attached the bill to the NDAA in October, but its fate remains unclear due to reservations from some Republicans on the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/house-financial-services-committee\/\">House Financial Services Committee<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Rep. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/andy-barr\/\">Andy Barr<\/a> (R-KY), who introduced companion legislation in the House, previously told <em>Politico<\/em> the committee hoped to hold a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.politico.com\/live-updates\/2025\/12\/02\/congress\/china-investment-crackdown-in-flux-as-lawmakers-rush-to-finalize-defense-bill-00673705\">hearing on outbound investments<\/a> but was prevented from doing so due to the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/government-shutdown\/\">government shutdown<\/a>, meaning members were unable to offer amendments.<\/p>\n<p>Tech firms, including <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/microsoft\/\">Microsoft<\/a>, have raised <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/investigations\/3853286\/microsoft-chinese-investment-provision-in-defense-bill\/\">technical concerns<\/a> over the provision, which would require the disclosure of <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/wall-street\/\">Wall Street&rsquo;s<\/a> investments in certain sectors and give the administration power to block those investments.<\/p>\n<p>Supporters of the measure have called it a national security imperative that will limit China&rsquo;s ability to acquire sensitive technology in fields such as AI, microelectronics, and others.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-housing\">Housing<\/h2>\n<p>The Financial Services Committee is also working through whether it can reach a compromise on the ROAD to Housing Act, a legislative priority of Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Chairman <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/tim-scott\/\">Tim Scott<\/a> (R-SC) that has placed him at odds with his Republican counterpart in the House, Rep. French Hill (R-AR).<\/p>\n<p>The legislation, which aims to boost the country&rsquo;s housing supply, has the support of both Democrats on the relevant committees, and it&rsquo;s possible a pared-down or modified version could make it into the NDAA, according to a source familiar with the negotiations.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3907133\/senate-democrats-three-year-obamacare-subsidy-bill-gop-jeers\/\"><strong>SENATE DEMOCRATS SETTLE ON THREE-YEAR OBAMACARE SUBSIDY BILL, DRAWING GOP JEERS<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The push comes as Trumpworld figures, including pollster Tony Fabrizio, urge Republicans to focus more on affordability ahead of the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/2026-elections\/\">midterm elections<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;As congressional leaders finalize the NDAA, now is the time to deliver real affordability reinforcements for the American people,&rdquo; Scott said in a Thursday statement. &ldquo;This is a bipartisan, common-sense package that deserves to cross the finish line.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><em>Ramsey Touchberry contributed to this report.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/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>IVF, China, housing: Congress delays defense bill release<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2651,"featured_media":2517803,"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\/2025\/12\/AP25198820322125-e1764884837498.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[4501,4402,4344,32468],"class_list":["post-2517802","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-china","tag-congress","tag-housing","tag-ivf"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/AP25198820322125-e1764884837498.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2517802","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\/2651"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2517802"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2517802\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2517806,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2517802\/revisions\/2517806"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2517803"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2517802"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2517802"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2517802"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}