Senate overwhelmingly passes $886 billion defense policy bill

On Wednesday, Dec. 13, the Senate passed a $886 billion defense policy bill in a 87-13 vote. The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which passed with little pushback, gives 5.2% pay increases to troops, the biggest raise in over two decades.

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Other features of the bill include hundreds of millions of dollars in military assistance to Ukraine and Israel, separate from the $110 billion spending package currently stalled in Congress, as well as extending a program that allows the intelligence community to conduct warrantless surveillance on foreign individuals aimed at preventing terrorism.

The bill also establishes a new training program in Taiwan. It includes the creation of a special inspector general for Ukraine to address concerns on whether American dollars are being spent as intended.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said this is what the American people what to see from Congress, compromise and action.

“At a time of huge trouble for global security, doing the defense authorization bill is more important than ever,” Schumer said. “Passing the NDAA enables us to hold the line against Russia, stand firm against the Chinese Communist Party, and ensure that America’s defenses remain state of the art at all times.”

The bill does keep in place the Pentagon’s rule that allows for travel reimbursement for service members going out of state for an abortion, a policy that House Republicans were looking to remove. The bill now heads to the House for a final vote.