Share this @internewscast.com

WASHINGTON — More than two-thirds of the U.S. House of Representatives voted in favor of a defense policy bill on Thursday that includes a record $886 billion in annual military spending and authorizes policies such as aid for Ukraine and push back against China in the Indo-Pacific.

The House backed the National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, by 310 to 118, with strong support from Republicans and Democrats. It was more than the two-thirds majority required to pass the measure and send it to the White House for President Joe Biden to sign into law.

Separate from the appropriations bills that set government spending levels, the NDAA authorizes everything from pay raises for troops — this year’s will be 5.2% — to purchases of ships, ammunition and aircraft.

Because it is one of the few major pieces of legislation that becomes law every year, members of Congress use it as a vehicle for a wide range of initiatives. It is also closely watched by major defense companies, such as Lockheed Martin, RTX Corp and other firms that receive Department of Defense contracts.

The vote for this year’s bill, which is nearly 3,100 pages long and authorizes a record $886 billion, up 3% from last year, meant that Congress has passed an NDAA for 63 straight years.

The final version of the NDAA left out provisions addressing divisive social issues, such as access to abortion and treatment of transgender service members, that had been included in the version passed by the Republican-majority House over the objections of Democrats, threatening to derail the legislation.

The Democratic-controlled Senate backed the NDAA, also with a strong bipartisan majority — 87 to 13 — on Wednesday.

The fiscal 2024 NDAA also includes a four-month extension of a disputed domestic surveillance authority, giving lawmakers more time to either reform or keep the program, known as Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).

That provision faced objections in both the Senate and House, but not enough to derail the bill. The Senate defeated an attempt to remove the FISA extension from the NDAA on Wednesday before voting to pass the defense measure.

The House and Senate had each passed their own versions of the NDAA earlier this year. The measure approved this week was a compromise between the two parties and two chambers.

The bill extends one measure to help Ukraine, the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, through the end of 2026, authorizing $300 million for the program in the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2024, and the next one.

However, that figure is a tiny compared to the $61 billion in assistance for Ukraine Biden has asked Congress to approve to help Kyiv as it battles a Russian invasion that began in February 2022.

That emergency spending request is bogged down in Congress, as Republicans have refused to approve assistance for Ukraine without Democrats agreeing to a significant toughening of immigration law.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy met with lawmakers at the Capitol on Tuesday to make his case for the funding requested by Biden, but emerged from the meetings without Republican commitments.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Woman speaking about hidden recording devices used by criminals.

Eerie New Strategy by Criminals Involves Monitoring Victims from Their Yards and It’s Gaining Popularity Across the US

A HOMEOWNER has discovered a disturbing object in her front yard that…
EXCLUSIVE: Marine Corps wife, mom blasts blue state for wrongful levy on savings: ‘Left us with pennies’

Marine Corps Wife and Mom Criticizes State for Unjust Savings Levy: ‘Left Us Nearly Penniless’

Master Sgt. Ogasian has served in the Marine Corps for over 20…
James Dobson death: Founder of conservative Christian group Focus on the Family, dies age 89

James Dobson, Founder of Focus on the Family, Passes Away at 89

James Dobson, a child psychologist who founded the conservative ministry Focus on…
Black and white photo of Donald McPherson, America's last living ace pilot from World War II, in the cockpit of his plane.

America’s Final Surviving Ace Pilot from WWII, Who Downed Five Enemy Aircraft, Passes Away at 103

AMERICA’S last living fighter ace from World War II has died at…
Trial date set for Austin Metcalf’s suspected killer in track meet stabbing

Judge Imposes Gag Order in Austin Metcalf’s Teen Murder Case: A Chronological Overview

The judge presiding over the murder trial of Karmelo Anthony, who faces…
Russia's Lavrov looks to draw China in on Ukraine's 'security guarantees'

Russia Seeks China’s Involvement in Ukraine Security Guarantees, Says Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov may be looking to bring China into…
Alert National Guard Members in D.C. Stop 'Potentially Life-Threatening' Situation (and That's Not All)

National Guard Members in D.C. Avert a Dangerous Situation (But There’s More)

On Thursday night, President Donald Trump personally visited and expressed his gratitude…
Feds nab suspected MS-13 gangster, top 700 arrests in DC crackdown

Federal Agents Apprehend Suspected MS-13 Gang Member, Surpass 700 Arrests in DC Operation

Thursday’s arrests in Washington, D.C. amid the Trump administration’s federal crime crackdown…
Smoke rises over damaged buildings and a cemetery in Gaza City after airstrikes.

Israel Warns Hamas of Dire Consequences as Troops Begin Gaza City Takeover Amid Famine Declaration

ISRAEL has warned “the gates of hell will open” in Gaza if…
Ghislaine Maxwell tells DOJ she doesn't believe Jeffrey Epstein died by suicide in federal prison

Ghislaine Maxwell informs DOJ of her doubts about Jeffrey Epstein’s alleged suicide in federal prison

Ghislaine Maxwell, the only person convicted in relation to Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes,…
Photo of Alexis Von Yates.

“Nurse Accused of Inappropriate Conduct with Stepson After Complaining of Lack of Intimacy”

A NURSE allegedly caught sexually assaulting her 15-year-old stepson by her husband…
Erik Menendez denied parole, will have to remain in prison for parents' murders

Erik Menendez Denied Parole, Remains Incarcerated for Murder of Parents

SAN DIEGO, Calif. (KABC) — A California parole board decided to reject…