House Passes $886 Billion Defense Bill, Awaiting Biden's Approval

Bill Largely Excludes Conservative Culture-War Provisions, Extends Ukraine Security Assistance, and Temporarily Reauthorizes Controversial Surveillance Program

• The House has passed an $886 billion defense bill, which now awaits President Biden's signature.
• The bill authorizes a 5.2 percent pay increase for service members and civilian employees of the Pentagon, and invests in measures to improve competition with Russia and China.
• The legislation extends the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative through fiscal 2027, but future Ukraine aid remains uncertain due to partisan battles.
• Despite conservative attempts to include provisions targeting Pentagon policies on abortion, diversity, and LGBTQ+ rights, the final bill is largely devoid of such measures.
• The bill also temporarily reauthorizes a controversial warrantless surveillance program, known as Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, sparking opposition from both conservative and liberal privacy advocates.

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