The U.S. House of Representatives, controlled by Republicans, passed the $895.3 billion National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) on Friday with a vote of 217 to 199. The bill, typically bipartisan, included amendments from far-right members aimed at rolling back diversity protections and restricting access to abortion and transgender healthcare for service members and their families.
The bill, which sets Pentagon policies and funding, now contrasts sharply with the Senate Armed Services Committee’s version, which totals $923.3 billion. The House version will now likely undergo prolonged negotiations to reconcile differences. Key amendments in the House bill include eliminating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives and banning military funding for gender-related healthcare. One notable amendment by Rep. Beth Van Duyne (R-Texas) prohibits the Defense Department from covering travel expenses for reproductive health care, following the Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R) managed to secure near-unanimous Republican support despite some defections, while just six Democrats voted in favor. The White House has indicated a veto if the bill remains unchanged. Previous attempts by Senate Republicans to include similar far-right provisions were unsuccessful, suggesting the bill will likely be revised significantly in the Senate.