The Senate has voted to pass the $895 billion annual defense policy bill, which includes a pay raise for U.S. troops and a provision that restricts transgender care. The bill passed with a vote of 85 to 14 and is now headed to President Joe Biden's desk for his signature.
The legislation received a more bipartisan vote in the Senate compared to the House, where more Democrats voted against the bill due to objections to the transgender provisions. The bill prohibits military health care provider Tricare from paying for transgender care that could result in sterilization for children under 18.
The bill details how the allocated $895.2 billion for defense and national security will be spent, representing a 1% increase over last year's budget. The bill focuses on quality-of-life improvements for service members, including a 14.5% pay increase for junior enlisted troops, increased access to child care, and job support for military spouses.
Additionally, the bill puts restrictions on Chinese-made drones, specifically targeting companies like DJI and Autel Robotics over national security concerns. The bill also recommends a $20 million increase in counter-unmanned aerial systems Advanced Development budget.
While some Democrats expressed objections to certain provisions, the bill also includes measures to strengthen U.S. defenses against China, invest in new military technologies, and replenish weapons stockpiles. The bill did not include some far-right provisions that had passed in the House bill, such as a ban on funding for gender transition surgeries for adults.
Overall, the bill aims to address various defense and national security priorities while also providing support for service members and their families. The bill's passage highlights the bipartisan efforts to navigate through differing viewpoints and priorities to reach a consensus on crucial defense legislation.
