The Senate is set to vote on final passage of a comprehensive defense bill that will authorize significant pay raises for junior enlisted service members and increase overall military spending to $895 billion. However, the legislation also includes the removal of coverage for transgender medical treatments for children of military members.
The annual defense authorization bill typically garners strong bipartisan support and has a long history of passing Congress. This year, the bill faced challenges as Republicans sought to incorporate priorities for social conservatives, leading to prolonged negotiations and decreased Democratic support.
Despite disagreements, the majority of Senate Democrats, along with most Republicans, have backed the compromise legislation. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer acknowledged that while the bill is not perfect and contains provisions that both sides may not fully support, bipartisanship was crucial to its passage.
The bill includes a 14.5% pay raise for junior enlisted service members and a 4.5% increase for others, aiming to enhance the quality of life for military personnel and their families. Additionally, it allocates resources towards a more assertive approach to China, investing in new military technologies and bolstering U.S. ammunition production.
Notably, the legislation extends prohibitions on the purchase of Chinese products by the military and includes measures to counter Chinese influence. While the Chinese foreign ministry criticized these bans, U.S. lawmakers have largely united in viewing China as a growing threat.
Congressional debates on the bill were primarily divided along cultural issues, with disagreements over provisions related to abortion, transgender healthcare, and diversity initiatives in the military. The final bill prohibits funding for teaching critical race theory in the military and restricts TRICARE health plans from covering gender dysphoria treatment for children under 18.
For some Democrats, the exclusion of transgender healthcare for children was a significant concern, leading to opposition to the bill. Senator Tammy Baldwin highlighted the impact of this policy change on thousands of families and emphasized the importance of prioritizing the healthcare needs of service members and their children.
