Senate debates and public statements

House Approves $895B Defense Bill with Pay Raises, Transgender Care Ban; Moves to Senate

Dec 11, 2024, 10:06 PM

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) with a vote of 281-140, authorizing $895 billion in defense spending. The bill includes a significant 14.5% pay raise for junior enlisted service members and a 4.5% increase for all other members, aiming to improve the quality of life for military personnel and their families. It also focuses on bolstering national defense, deterring global adversaries, and supporting military families through provisions for better housing, healthcare, and childcare. However, the legislation has stirred controversy due to a provision that prohibits the use of military health insurance for gender-affirming care for transgender youth, leading to opposition from some Democrats. The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration. Notably, 81 Democrats supported the bill, while 16 Republicans broke against it. Additional measures include bans on Critical Race Theory (CRT) in the military, prohibiting puberty blockers for kids, authorizing Department of Defense (DoD) resources at the border, and supporting Israel.