![]() ![]() “The bill we passed out of committee sent a clear, united message … that democracy still works, and Congress is still functional,” the Democrats said in their joint statement. Adam Smith of Washington state, and subcommittee Democrats released a statement Thursday night announcing their opposition to the bill. ![]() The House Armed Services Committee’s ranking Democratic member, Rep. Republicans are making the NDAA a culture war bill, but at the same time I’ve always voted for pay raises so this is a challenge.” “It sucks, but I have to make a decision. I always support the NDAA,” one Democrat said on the condition of anonymity to speak freely about their political predicament. ![]() Pentagon officials have warned it’s having an impact on national security and military readiness.ĭemocrats had been expected to peel off in droves from backing the underlying bill if the abortion amendment was adopted as part of the NDAA, something that could put vulnerable members in a position of having to defend back home why they ultimately didn’t back a Pentagon policy bill that includes pay raises for members of the military and future investments in military infrastructure. Months into a hold on military nominees, Tuberville is still not relenting despite efforts by some of his own Republican colleagues to try and give him alternatives to back off his blockade. The Pentagon’s abortion policy has come under an intense spotlight recently as GOP Sen. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries refused to say how he would vote on final passage but slammed the inclusion of highly controversial amendments, telling CNN, the move by Republicans to adopt the amendment related to abortion was “shameful.” He continued, “When you put in these radical extreme provisions, it’s going to be very hard for any Democrat and any sensible legislators to vote for it.” US defense secretary says Tuberville holds are 'national security issue' (Photo by Sarah Silbiger/Getty Images) Sarah Silbiger/Getty Images Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin listens as South Korean Defense Minister Lee Jong-Sup speaks during a news conference at the Pentagon on Novemin Arlington, Virginia. Your health will be at risk.”ĪRLINGTON, VA - NOVEMBER 03: U.S. “It’s going to make it really hard now to recruit people from across America because if you’re a woman and a doctor has told you, you are at risk for high-risk pregnancies, you’re not going to want to join the military because they can station you anywhere, including a red state where your life could be at risk. Ted Lieu of California, a member of House Democratic leadership, told Raju that, “It’s now become an extreme radical defense authorization bill.” Many Democrats were fuming Thursday evening after the GOP-led House adopted the contentious amendments and said that their caucus would vote in lockstep against it. It doesn’t predetermine what will be in the bill.” House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, a California Republican, has defended his strategy of allowing controversial amendments put forward by the right flank, telling CNN’s Manu Raju that members “actually have a voice with what the bill will look like at the very end. Many Democrats made clear ahead of the vote that if the amendment was included as part of the defense bill, they would be unlikely to support final passage.Īnother contentious amendment that passed would bar a health care program for service members from covering hormone treatments for transgender individuals and gender confirmation surgeries. One of the most high-profile amendments that was adopted by the House would prohibit the secretary of defense from paying for or reimbursing expenses relating to abortion services. The bill – known as the National Defense Authorization Act – sets the policy agenda and authorizes funding for the Department of Defense. If the House passes the defense bill, it would still need to be reconciled with the Democratic-controlled Senate. With only a narrow majority, House Republicans could only afford a few defections from within their ranks if there is no support from Democrats. Passage of the amendments – which touch on hot-button issues of abortion policy and transgender health care access – is expected to cost Democratic votes and could potentially imperil final passage of the legislation, unless House Republicans are able to largely unite behind the measure to get it across the finish line.Īnd while GOP leaders made a major concession to conservative members by allowing the controversial amendment votes, it’s still not clear if a critical mass of hardline conservatives will support final passage. The House voted Thursday evening to adopt several controversial amendments pushed by conservative hardliners to a critical national defense bill as the fate of the must-pass legislation hangs in the balance. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |