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
Rubio says commitment to Taiwan won't change amid trade talks with China

Rubio Affirms Unwavering Support for Taiwan Despite Ongoing China Trade Discussions

On Sunday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed the United States’ enduring…
June Lockhart, beloved mother figure from 'Lassie' and 'Lost In Space,' dies at 100 in Santa Monica

Farewell to June Lockhart: Celebrating the Iconic TV Mom from ‘Lassie’ and ‘Lost In Space’ at 100

In SANTA MONICA, Calif., June Lockhart, cherished as a maternal figure by…
Drug vessel destroyed in explosive strike by US military

US Executes Eighth Drug Vessel Strike in Eastern Pacific: Latest Military Action Revealed by Hegseth

The United States military executed a strike on a suspected drug-trafficking vessel…
Chicago shootings this weekend: At least 10 shot, 2 fatally, in gun violence across city, police department says

Authorities Determine Teen’s ‘Gel Blaster’ Shooting in Skokie’s Shawnee Park as Antisemitic Hate Crime: Police Report

In SKOKIE, Illinois, local authorities have determined that a teenager’s use of…
Sea & Sky Air Show powers through impacts from government shutdown, windy conditions

Sea & Sky Air Show Triumphs Over Government Shutdown and Challenging Winds

The Sea and Sky Air Show at Jacksonville Beach wrapped up earlier…
The Latest: What’s in store for the AP Top 25

Breaking Down the Future of the AP Top 25 Rankings

Anticipate minimal changes at the peak of the AP Top 25 rankings,…
1 dead, 6 injured after shooting at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania: police

Tragic Shooting at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania Leaves 1 Dead, 6 Injured

A tragic incident unfolded at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania during the institution’s…
Trump administration works to break China’s rare earth mineral stranglehold on Africa

How the Trump Administration is Challenging China’s Rare Earth Dominance in Africa

The U.S. State Department is actively working to mitigate the national security…
Heidi Klum drops 'cheeky' new Halloween costume hint

Heidi Klum Teases Fans with Playful Halloween Costume Preview: What to Expect This Year

Heidi Klum might be giving her fans a glimpse of her renowned…
Making daylight saving time permanent: Where all 50 states stand

Daylight Saving Time: A State-by-State Guide to Permanent Adoption Plans

Is it finally the right moment to abandon the semi-annual clock change?…
GOP Nom Ciattarelli Heats Up With an Live On-Air Assist From Trump--and Famous Native NJ Voice Cuts Ad

Trump Lends a Hand: Ciattarelli Gains Momentum with Support from NJ Celebrity Voice

Republican gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli is making headway in New Jersey’s election…
Investigators uncover possible serial killer linked to women’s murders, missing TV anchor

Investigators Discover Potential Serial Killer Connection to Women’s Murders and Disappearance of TV Anchor

This week, officials disclosed that a man once considered a key figure…