House Republicans draw flak for approving massive annual defense bill with culture war amendments

WASHINGTON, DC: In a highly contentious move, the House of Representatives, which currently has a Republican majority, approved its version of the annual defense policy bill on Friday, June 14, incorporating several divisive culture war amendments, as per The Hill.

This $883.7 billion measure, known as the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), passed largely along party lines with a 217-199 vote, setting the stage for a fierce battle with the Democratic-controlled Senate.

Passage of defense bill includes amendments on hot-button social issues

The House's passage of the NDAA included numerous amendments focused on hot-button social issues, drawing significant criticism and promising a tough negotiation ahead with the Senate.

Among the most controversial provisions was one spearheaded by Beth Van Duyne, aiming to block a Biden administration policy that reimburses service members for travel costs incurred when obtaining an abortion.

This amendment, which echoes Tommy Tuberville’s previous blockade on military promotions over the same policy, passed narrowly with a 214-207 vote.

Republicans also targeted LGBTQ medical treatments and diversity initiatives within the military. An amendment proposed by Matt Rosendale to prevent funding for gender transition procedures for transgender service members was approved in a 213-206 vote.

Additionally, amendments from Jim Banks and Glenn Grothman sought to place a permanent hiring freeze on Pentagon positions related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), passing 216-206.

Democrats, including Mikie Sherrill, a Navy veteran, strongly criticized these amendments. Sherrill condemned the conservative additions as attempts to impose an extremist agenda, arguing they undermine the defense bill’s primary purpose.

The NDAA typically garners broad bipartisan support, but this year’s bill fractured that unity. The House Armed Services Committee initially advanced the bill with a bipartisan 57-1 vote. However, the partisan amendments introduced by the House Rules Committee dismantled this consensus.

Ultimately, only six Democrats—Don Davis, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, Jared Golden, Vicente Gonzalez, Mary Sattler Peltola, and Henry Cuellar—voted in favor of the bill. On the Republican side, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Thomas Massie, and Rosendale opposed it.

House Republicans defended the bill as essential for national security and troop support. Speaker Mike Johnson praised the legislation, highlighting its provisions for US troops, National Guard deployment at the southern border, and expedited acquisition of new weaponry.

Inclusion of culture war amendments in defense bill by House Republicans draws flak online

The inclusion of culture war amendments in the defense bill by House Republicans sparked a wave of backlash on social media. One Facebook user said, "These Republican clowns in the House showing Americans why they should never be in power." While another remarked, "It's time to clean House!"

A user wrote, "In other words, another inevitable delay because the GOP would rather drum up political theater and fundraise than to fund our military." Another user mentioned, "Republicans playing games with national defense. You hate to see it. Sad."

One user posted, "Republicans are incapable of governing or compromise." One user commented, "Military measures are a wholly inappropriate vehicle to use for stoking culture war issues. Debate about those issues should be done elsewhere."

Another user stated, "Every scrap of paper the House GOP sends out has poison pills on abortion restrictions, open borders, defund something or anything and block everything democrats offer. Despicable."

An individual opined, "The treasonous republicans are holding our national defense hostage in trying to impose their bigoted views on the country."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.