Senate Passes $895B Defense Bill with Troop Pay Raise, Transgender Care Ban for Minors, Sends to Biden

Dec 18, 2024, 03:44 PM

The US Senate has passed an $895 billion National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) with a strong bipartisan vote of 85-14, sending the bill to President Joe Biden for his signature. The legislation includes the largest troop pay raise in decades, providing a 14.5% increase for junior enlisted service members and 4.5% for others, and funds military housing. The bill also removes Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives and bans taxpayer-funded transgender surgeries, including gender-affirming care for military dependents under 18. The passage of the NDAA marks the 64th consecutive year that Congress has approved this essential defense policy legislation.