The Senate voted Tuesday evening to advance the critical national defense bill, The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), nearer to a final passage vote, moving one step closer to a showdown with the House over the must-pass legislation. The vote was 72 to 25 to begin the process of taking up the bill which sets the policy agenda and authorizes funding for the Department of Defense annually. The NDAA typically passes through Congress with widespread bipartisan support, but the Republican controlled House passed its version of the bill on a largely party-line vote last week after Democrats protested a series of amendments pushed by hardline conservatives. The addition of amendments to the House bill related to abortion policy and transgender health care access as well as targeting diversity and inclusion programs infuriated Democrats and led to push back from some moderate Republicans, and set up a clash with the Democratic-controlled Senate. Once the Senate approves its NDAA bill, lawmakers will need to reconcile the Senate bill and the House bill by negotiating a compromise version that can pass both chambers. That could prove challenging as House conservatives have vowed not to back down from their demands for what they want included in the measure. A final passage vote for the Senate defense bill has not yet been scheduled and may happen sometime next week.
While the Senate continues work on the NDAA, at 11:00 A.M., His Excellency Isaac Herzog, President of Israel, addressed a Joint Meeting of Congress. President Herzog affirmed the US-Israel relationship, calling America “our greatest partner and friend,” while also acknowledging criticism from House progressives. Ahead of the address, the House of Representatives voted Tuesday evening to pass a resolution affirming support for Israel with a bipartisan vote of 412 to 9, with nine Democrats voting against it. The vote came after Democratic Representative Pramila Jayapal (D-Washington), the chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, made comments over the weekend about Israel being a “racist” state, which she later tried to walk back.
For today, the House is expected to complete consideration of H.R. 3941 – Schools Not Shelters Act and begin consideration of H.R. 3935 – Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act.
