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From Fox News: The Senate voted to pass the $895 billion annual defense policy bill that includes a pay raise for U.S. servicemembers and a provision that restricts transgender care.
The bill passed 85 to 14, and now heads to President Biden’s desk for his signature.
The legislation scored a more bipartisan vote in the Senate than it did in the House, where more Democrats voted no on the legislation in protest of the transgender provisions.
The bill prohibits military health care provider Tricare from paying for transgender care “that could result in sterilization” for children under 18.
The legislation passed the House last week 281-140, with 16 Republicans voting “no.” Only 81 Democrats voted yes – 124 voting no – a much larger margin than in years passed when the legislation typically enjoyed bipartisan support.
The report explains that 1,800-page bill details how $895.2 billion allocated toward defense and national security will be spent, and represents a 1% increase over last year’s budget.
Included in the legislation is quality-of-life improvements for servicemembers amid record recruitment issues, a 14.5% pay increase for junior enlisted servicemembers, more access to child care for servicemembers and job support to military spouses.
Agreed to, 85-14: Motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R.5009, FY2025 National Defense Authorization Act.
— Senate Cloakroom (@SenateCloakroom) December 18, 2024
BREAKING: Senate passes annual defense policy bill with transgender care restrictions and pay boost for junior troopshttps://t.co/0Qrre8n5NX
— Fox News (@FoxNews) December 18, 2024
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