The House and Senate Armed Services committees have released their final draft of the National Defense Authorization Act.
As the draft is the result of intense negotiations, Republicans figure to win and lose in the final accounting.
The must-pass spending bill has an $886 billion price tag. It includes two amendments that place imitations on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs. The bill also gives service members a 5.2% pay increase, the largest raise in two decades.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) called these crucial wins for enhancing national defense. But the compromise bill allows the Defense Department to fund drag shows, abortion travel, and gender transitioning.
It’s already taking heat from the House Freedom Caucus. Representative Chip Roy (R-Texas) is calling for a boycott.
Even with Freedom Caucus objections, the bill is expected to pass both houses with bipartisan support.