Key Points:
- The House Appropriations Committee approved an $833 billion defense bill that prioritizes countering China and military modernization but includes controversial social provisions.
- Democrats strongly oppose the inclusion of restrictions on abortion access, diversity training, and gender-affirming care, arguing they are harmful and divisive.
- The bill’s future in the Senate remains to be determined, setting the stage for another potential budget standoff between the two chambers.
House Republicans Advance Defense Bill
The House Appropriations Committee approved an $833 billion defense spending bill on Wednesday, setting the stage for another contentious battle over social issues within the military. The bill, passed on a party-line vote of 34-25, includes funding increases for troops and weapons systems but also reignites debates over abortion access, diversity training, and other hot-button topics.
Defense Priorities Take Center Stage
The proposed Fiscal Year 2025 Defense Appropriations Act prioritizes countering China’s growing military might, investing heavily in advanced technologies, and bolstering support for service members. Key provisions include:
- Increased Military Spending: The bill allocates $833 billion for defense, a 1% increase from FY2024, aligning with the Fiscal Responsibility Act.
- Countering China: Significant funding is directed toward countering China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific region, with investments in Taiwan’s security, advanced aircraft like the F-35, and the Pacific Deterrence Initiative.
- Military Modernization: The bill emphasizes innovation, providing funding for hypersonic weapons, artificial intelligence, and other cutting-edge technologies.
- Support for Troops and Families: A 4.5% pay raise for all military personnel is included, along with an additional 15% pay bump for junior enlisted service members.
Social Issues Reignite Partisan Tensions
Despite bipartisan support for increased defense spending and military modernization, the bill’s inclusion of provisions targeting social issues sparked immediate controversy. Democrats vehemently opposed these measures, arguing they inject divisive politics into military funding.
- Restrictions on Abortion Access: The bill prohibits the use of federal funds for travel and leave related to abortion services for service members and their dependents.
- Limits on Diversity and Inclusion Programs: Funding for diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives faces significant cuts, and the bill prohibits the implementation of President Biden’s executive orders on DEI.
- Ban on Gender-Affirming Care: The legislation bars the use of funds for gender-affirming medical care for transgender service members.
Democrats condemned these provisions as harmful and discriminatory, accusing Republicans of using the defense bill to advance a partisan agenda.
“As written, this bill does more to divide us than to unite us,” said Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio). “It contains partisan riders unrelated to defense policy that overwhelmingly make this critical bill a tool for division, not support that our service members rightfully expect and need.”
Republicans defended the inclusion of the social issue provisions, arguing they are necessary to refocus the military on its core mission and eliminate “woke” policies they claim are harming military readiness.
“This bill provides the resources necessary for our military to deter conflict and prevail in war,” said Rep. Ken Calvert (R-Calif.), chairman of the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee. “The spending priorities included in this bill acknowledge that the threats against the United States are no longer a future challenge, but a current reality.”
Uncertain Path Forward
The bill now heads to the House floor, where it is expected to pass largely along party lines. However, its future in the Senate remains uncertain. Democrats hold a narrow majority in the upper chamber, and many have expressed strong opposition to the social issue provisions.
Last year, similar disagreements between the House and Senate over social issues in the defense bill led to months of delays, ultimately pushing the budget decision into the new fiscal year. This created significant challenges for military planning and operations.
With the 2024 presidential election looming, both parties will face pressure to reach a compromise and avoid another protracted budget battle. However, given the deeply partisan nature of the current political climate, finding common ground on these contentious social issues will prove challenging.
