Congressional negotiators are facing roadblocks over divisive, culture war amendments on a 1,800-page National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that addresses core U.S. priorities on national security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The $883.7 billion NDAA includes widely supported measures like boosting the U.S. presence in the Indo-Pacific, pay raises for troops, funding the building of seven new ships and shoring up the defense industrial base. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Speaker Mike Johnson\u2002<\/u><\/a>(R-La.) said the NDAA for fiscal 2025, which lays out the priorities for Congress to fund in separate defense appropriation bills, \u201crefocuses our military on its core mission of defending America and its interests around the globe.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis legislation also reinforces our commitment to America\u2019s brave men and women in uniform, and their families, by making landmark investments in their quality of life,\u201d he said in a statement<\/u><\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n But the legislation includes language that Democrats are already objecting to, including restrictions on coverage of gender-affirming care for transgender children of service members and a provision aimed at curtailing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs within the military. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The House tentatively plans to vote on the NDAA on Wednesday, though that is dependent on the bill getting past the Rules Committee on Monday evening. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Here\u2019s what to know about the NDAA and the key battles ahead, as both the House and Senate prepare to vote on the bill. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The most controversial amendment in the defense bill is a restriction on the children of U.S. service members from receiving medical treatment if they are diagnosed with gender dysphoria. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Democrats have blasted the provision as a measure that takes aim at transgender youth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Rep. Adam Smith\u2002<\/u><\/a>(D-Wash.), ranking member on the House Armed Services Committee, said Johnson is \u201cpandering to the most extreme elements of his party to ensure that he retains his speakership,\u201d accusing him of trashing a typical bipartisan process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBlanketly denying health care to people who clearly need it, just because of a biased notion against transgender people, is wrong,\u201d Smith said in a statement<\/u><\/a>. \u201cThis provision injected a level of partisanship not traditionally seen in defense bills.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n The pro-LGBTQ advocacy group Human Rights Campaign accused Republicans of playing \u201cpolitics with the healthcare of children of servicemembers.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis is not leadership, it\u2019s bullying, and it is a direct attack on military families,\u201d said Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson in a statement<\/u><\/a>. \u201cThis cruel and hateful bill suddenly strips away access to medical care for families that members of our armed forces are counting on, and it could force servicemembers to choose between staying in the military or providing healthcare for their children.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n The NDAA also has an amendment that targets DEI programs, which Republicans have long been critical of for focusing the military on race, gender identity and sexual orientation instead of military strength. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The bill would restrict the Department of Defense from creating any new positions related to DEI a year after the NDAA is passed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s unclear if Democrats are prepared to oppose this measure, but they have resisted GOP attempts to ban DEI initiatives in the past. <\/p>\n\n\n\n GOP lawmakers, meanwhile, may allow the more contentious, \u201cculture war\u201d provisions to be left out of the bill to get it passed, with the anticipation that the incoming Trump administration will cut back such policies when it takes power in January. <\/p>\n\n\n\n During the NDAA discussions between the House Armed Services Committee and the Senate Armed Services Committee, some lawmakers had called to keep in the bill the inclusion of expanded in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment coverage in the military\u2019s health care service, known as TRICARE. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Specifically, lawmakers wanted TRICARE to fully cover IVF, similar to coverage enjoyed by civilian federal employees. But the amendment is not included in the final NDAA package.<\/p>\n\n\n\nTransgender restrictions<\/strong> <\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Diversity, equity and inclusion programs <\/strong> <\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
IVF treatment<\/strong> <\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n