In a major compromise, the House agreed to lift an NDAA provision that would have forced the Pentagon to drop its controversial abortion policy.
The policy provides paid leave and reimbursement for travel costs to servicemembers who cross state lines for an abortion service.
It had drawn fury on the right and a 10-month hold from Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) on hundreds of military promotions.
Other amendments that did not make it into the NDAA: a block on gender-affirming health care for transgender service members and dependents and a prohibition of funds for the Department of Defense Education Activity on LGBTQ-themed books.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) said the defense bill is a “sellout” to Democrats.
“I’m a HELL NO!” she wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Lawmakers did agree to direct the Pentagon to consider reinstating U.S. troops who were discharged for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine — a GOP win.
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said his party secured favorable provisions, including banning critical race theory at Defense Department academies and in military training.
“The House GOP fought to secure crucial wins in this year’s NDAA,” Johnson wrote on X.
Negotiators from the House and Senate armed services committees released the draft NDAA on Thursday, a more than 3,000 page document.
The NDAA release is an initial step toward Congress approving the annual must-pass bill that keeps the Pentagon funded.
The Senate passed a procedural measure on Thursday that moves the NDAA closer to a final vote.
Read the full NDAA coverage at TheHill.com.
