A new report from House Republicans shows they believe they have made significant strides in key areas such as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), border security, and green energy as part of the annual defense policy bill. The memo details how the proposed National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which comes in at 1,800 pages, will allocate $895.2 billion for defense and national security.
This year’s NDAA is seen as a continuation of efforts to push back against what many Republicans label as “woke ideology” within the military. The House Armed Services Committee’s memo highlights that the NDAA aims to eliminate unnecessary DEI staffing by extending a hiring freeze on DEI positions at the Pentagon until a thorough review of these programs is completed. The memo also prohibits the Defense Department from working with advertising firms that exclude conservative news outlets from their services.
Additionally, the NDAA has cut funding for the Biden administration’s initiative aimed at countering extremism within military ranks and does not authorize any new climate change programs. It even forbids the Pentagon from considering climate impacts when assessing its weapon systems.
Border security remains a crucial concern for the Republican Party, and the NDAA supports the deployment of National Guard troops to assist Border Patrol at the U.S.-Mexico border, underscoring the party’s commitment to addressing this issue.
The memo also emphasizes improvements in the quality of life for service members, a frequently discussed topic over the past year. Among the proposed changes are a 14.5% pay increase for junior enlisted troops and better access to childcare for military families, along with job support for spouses of service members. Importantly, this increase in spending only reflects a 1% rise compared to last year.
Looking ahead, the memo provides insight into the Republican agenda for national security as they prepare for a new congressional session with control over both houses of Congress after the upcoming elections. Issues related to countering the influence of countries like China and Iran are expected to gain broad bipartisan support, though some provisions of the NDAA, particularly those addressing transgender medical treatment for military minors, could lead to friction between the parties.
Speaker Mike Johnson expressed his approval of the NDAA’s focus on military effectiveness and the removal of progressive policies. He emphasized the need to confront threats from nations like China, Russia, and Iran, and stated that the legislation equips the military to effectively deter these adversaries. A vote on the NDAA is anticipated in the coming week.
