Senate Passes $895 Billion Defense Bill Despite Transgender Care Restrictions

The NDAA advances to President Biden for signature, maintaining its 60-year streak of passage while drawing criticism over controversial provisions.

The Senate approved the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in an 85-14 vote, following its earlier passage in the House with bipartisan support.
The bill includes a provision restricting federal funds for gender-affirming care for children of military personnel, sparking opposition from many Democrats and LGBTQ rights groups.
Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin led an effort to remove the transgender care restriction, but the amendment failed to pass in the Senate.
The NDAA authorizes a 14.5% pay raise for junior-enlisted servicemembers, $3 billion for military housing improvements, and increased funding for Indo-Pacific defense initiatives.
President Biden is expected to sign the bill into law, continuing the six-decade tradition of annual passage for the NDAA.