The House finished its work for the week by voting today to pass the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) following a contentious debate and the adoption of controversial amendments that touched on hot-button social issues. The addition of amendments pushed by conservative hardliners 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 will now set up a clash with the Senate. The bill was passed on a largely party-line vote of 219 to 210. Four Democrats crossed the aisle to vote with Republicans and four GOP members voted against the bill. The House voted until nearly midnight on Thursday night dealing with a number of amendments, including adopting a controversial provision eliminating diversity, equity and inclusion programs and staff in the Department of Defense. Passage of the bill amid the Democratic pushback posed a crucial test for embattled House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-California), who could only afford to lose four GOP votes if all Democrats voted together in order for the plan to clear the lower chamber. Despite its passage by the House, the defense package is dead-on-arrival in the Senate given the GOP’s changes. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York) said this week the upper chamber will take up its own version of the defense policy plan, setting up more partisan wrangling over the measure as the House and Senate will need to reconcile their two bills. The $886 billion defense package, which authorizes funding and sets the policy for the Defense Department, includes a 5.2% pay raise for service members and measures addressing China and Russia.
For today, the Senate convened for a pro forma session at 9:30 A.M. and is now in recess until Tuesday, July 18th at 3:00 P.M. when it will take up the nomination of Rachel Bloomekatz to be United States Circuit Judge for the Sixth Circuit and a Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024.
When the House adjourns today, it will next convene on Monday, July 17th.
