House Passes $895B Defense Bill with Pay Raises, Transgender Care Ban, Amid Controversy

Dec 12, 2024, 04:07 PM

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), authorizing $895 billion in defense spending. The bill includes a 14.5% pay raise for junior enlisted service members and a 4.5% increase for all other ranks, aiming to improve the quality of life for military personnel. It also incorporates provisions to address national security threats, such as measures to counter the Chinese Communist Party, and focuses on military lethality rather than 'woke ideology' according to House Speaker Mike Johnson. However, the inclusion of a ban on transgender medical treatments for minor children of military members, specifically treatments that could result in sterilization, has sparked controversy. This provision has led to opposition from some Democrats, with Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.) voting against the bill due to this language. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries did not advise his party members on how to vote, leaving it to individual discretion. Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) supported the ban, viewing it as a step towards refocusing the military's mission. The bill now heads to the Senate, where its passage remains uncertain due to the contentious transgender care ban and other cultural issues.