On Thursday, the House passed the $886 billion National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) by a vote of 310-118, following the Senate’s approval and advancing it to President Biden’s desk.
The NDAA extends the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative and pledges continued U.S. support in the region through fiscal 2027, while removing almost all of the cultural provisions proposed by the GOP, such as a clause that would have prevented the Defense Department from covering travel expenses for military personnel seeking abortions in different states.
Furthermore, Johnson permitted an extension for Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act to be included within the NDAA, enabling government agencies such as FBI to conduct surveillance on U.S citizens.
Notably, 147 Republicans voted to reauthorize this program which FBI previously abused to spy on candidate and then President Donald Trump during his entire tenure in office.
Rep. Randy Weber wrote, “The NDAA is a BAD deal. Here is what they won’t tell you… Continues to fund Biden’s woke initiative in the military, such as drag shows; Allows taxpayer-funded transgender surgeries; Does nothing to end the radical climate agenda; Reauthorizes the flawed FISA.”
The NDAA is a BAD deal. Here is what they won't tell you…
🚨Continues to fund Biden's woke initiative in the military, such as drag shows.
🚨Allows taxpayer-funded transgender surgeries.
🚨Does nothing to end the radical climate agenda.
🚨Reauthorizes the flawed FISA.
— Randy Weber (@TXRandy14) December 14, 2023
The legislation has sparked controversy due to a provision that would require Senate approval or an Act of Congress in order for the U.S. to be withdrawn from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
This clause stands in direct opposition to former President Donald Trump’s vision for American foreign policy, which included potential plans to reduce or reevaluate U.S. involvement within NATO should he return to office.
Senators Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) championed this measure as a way of preventing unilateral withdrawal by future Presidents without congressional oversight.
“NATO has held strong in response to Putin’s war in Ukraine and rising challenges around the world,” said Kaine in a statement. “The Senate’s vote today to pass my bipartisan bill to prevent any U.S. President from unilaterally withdrawing from NATO reaffirms U.S. support for this crucial alliance that is foundational for our national security. It also sends a strong message to authoritarians around the world that the free world remains united.”
“The Senate should maintain oversight on whether or not our nation withdraws from NATO. We must ensure we are protecting our national interests and protecting the security of our democratic allies,” said Rubio.
Congrats everyone, your Republican House majority just voted for:
• More warrantless spying on Americans
• More taxpayer funded abortion trips
• More taxpayer funded sex changes
• More $$$ for UkraineTotal betrayal. With Republicans like these, who needs Democrats? Lunacy. pic.twitter.com/WU5rY7aDrN
— Robby Starbuck (@robbystarbuck) December 14, 2023
