On July 14, the House of Representatives narrowly passed the next National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) along an almost party-line tally (four Democrats voted with their Republican colleagues, and four Republicans voted against it). The bill, which the Democrat-controlled Senate is not likely to send to the president’s desk, includes several provisions aimed at prohibiting the Pentagon from participating in the normalization of mental illness. If the measure becomes law, it would limit the ability of the U.S. Armed Forces to offer abortions, offer medical care for “transgenders,” and implement other efforts to bring “diversity” to the military.
The bill in question holds tremendous significance, as it authorizes a robust national defense budget of $886 billion for fiscal year 2024. It’s worth noting the exceptional leadership of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who skillfully rallied his conference to overcome obstacles and successfully clear this crucial legislation.
The NDAA made waves with its historic funding of $886 billion, aligning precisely with President Biden’s own request. What’s even more remarkable is that the debt-ceiling deal, carefully crafted by House Republicans and the White House, made no attempt to curtail military spending or impose any restrictions on emergency supplemental funds. This unrestricted approach was instrumental in supporting our ongoing unlimited and unconstitutional intervention in the war between Russia and Ukraine.
During the spirited debates surrounding the NDAA in the House, several amendments were proposed by Republicans seeking to impose accountability on continuing U.S. involvement in Ukraine. These amendments were met with opposition and voted down. One such amendment, spearheaded by Rep. Warren Davidson (R-Ohio), aimed to hold the Biden administration accountable by mandating the development of a strategic plan for the Ukrainian conflict. What many conservatives considered a commonsense proposal garnered support solely from Republicans, and was ultimately rejected by a vote of 129-301.
In the arena of forcing American taxpayers to fund perversion and the murder of the unborn, a defining moment occurred on Thursday when Republicans showed they would be charting their own path. The House, in a closely contested vote, successfully passed an amendment presented by Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-Texas). This crucial amendment aims to restrict Pentagon policies that enable the reimbursement of travel expenses for military personnel seeking abortions. This stands as a testament to the conservative commitment to upholding pro-life principles in all areas, including within the country’s armed forces.
Republicans didn’t back down in their unwavering determination to prevent perversion from becoming the new normal in our military. They fearlessly pushed forward with impactful proposals aimed at discontinuing the coverage of transition surgeries and hormone treatments for “transgender” service members, ensuring that precious taxpayer resources are not spent on such madness. They took a stand by curbing diversity and inclusion programs that have encroached upon the core values of our armed forces. And, they advocated for limiting the flags permitted to be flown at military installations, which would include forbidding displaying the pride flag, thereby maintaining the position of the flag of the United States of America as the most appropriate symbol of unity.
In that same vein, during the markup period in June, the Armed Services Committee fearlessly tackled numerous contentious issues. The committee wholeheartedly endorsed Republican proposals that championed the rights of troops who had faced repercussions for exercising their personal choice regarding the Covid-19 vaccine. Furthermore, they ensured that taxpayer funds were not allocated for drag shows held on military bases, staying true to our military’s noble mission. And they took a firm stance against the promotion of critical race theory, safeguarding our armed forces from divisive ideologies. It is worth noting that despite these principled measures, the legislation garnered widespread support, with all but one committee Democrat standing in favor.
In a decisive vote of 147-276, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) led a valiant charge to prevent the transfer of U.S. cluster bombs to Ukraine. Despite the amendment’s symbolic nature — considering that cluster munitions were already delivered to Ukraine following President Biden’s decision — 98 Republicans and 49 Democrats put principle above policy and stood firmly behind Greene’s proposal.
Another noteworthy moment unfolded as Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) sought to ban any mandatory diversity, equity, and inclusion training. In an unexpected turn, nine Republicans aligned with Democrats, resulting in a rejection of Gaetz’s initiative. Gaetz also put forward an amendment to cut off all military assistance for Ukraine. That proposal was stillborn, ending in a vote of 70-358.
Rep. Bob Good (R-Va.) set out on a spirited quest to defund a congressionally mandated commission responsible for renaming Army bases and military properties bearing the names of leaders of the Confederate States of America. This effort bore largely symbolic significance, since the panel has completed its work and most Army bases have already accomplished the abolition of Confederate names — regardless of the reputation of the namesake. Simply serving the South is enough to cancel out any other heroic achievements before or after the War Between the States. In a noteworthy outcome, Good garnered an impressive 177 votes from House Republicans.
The NDAA version passed by the House spends a remarkable $886 billion, purportedly to protect the American people in fiscal 2024. This funding aligns perfectly with the request put forth by Joe Biden and stays safely within the spending cap outlined in the recent debt-limit deal, reinforcing representatives’ commitment to carrying on the kabuki theater of “fiscal responsibility.”
Within this obese budget, $842 billion is allocated to the Pentagon, allegedly necessary for keeping the U.S. military ready and able to meet threats to the security of the United States, and $32 billion is earmarked for nuclear weapons programs at the Energy Department, portrayed as a critical part of protecting America.
It’s important to note that the NDAA is a blueprint. The construction, so to speak, won’t happen until the appropriations are approved.
Finally, regardless of receiving full funding of his Pentagon wish list, the White House has said that Biden will not sign this bill if it makes it though the Senate gauntlet.
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan made a bold statement on Sunday, declaring that the House-passed version of the NDAA will never reach the president’s desk.
“What you’ve seen from an extreme group of Republicans is to put forward a set of amendments that try to mix domestic social debates with … the security needs of our nation,” Sullivan told Jake Tapper on CNN’s State of the Union.
