Staff Reports
The Senate’s recent passage of the defense authorization bill is a mixed bag for those who value both military strength and cultural integrity. Authorized military spending will surge to a staggering $895 billion, which sounds incredibly impressive until one realizes this hefty sum has to be grappled with all the cultural baggage that seems to be clinging to it like moss on a tree. This year, in a surprising move, Democrats got a taste of their own medicine as a significant piece of legislation prioritized social conservatism, leading to negotiations that resembled a game of tug-of-war between reason and political correctness.
The bill passed with a resounding 85 to 14 vote, a feat rarely seen when the only bipartisan agreement seems to be the necessity of funding the military. It seems Senator Chuck Schumer is patting himself on the back while trying to spin this as a victory for Democrats. He claims the bill has great provisions to counter China’s Communist Party—well, if only the party had a better track record of leadership and initiative regarding national defense.
Senate Passes Massive $895 Billion National Defense Authorization Act
The annual military spending bill now heads to Biden's desk for his signature
by Dave DeCamp@DecampDave #Pentagon #NDAA #Militaryindustrialcomplex https://t.co/X34okLSnUn pic.twitter.com/HirxpcsfUw— Antiwar.com (@Antiwarcom) December 18, 2024
Discontent among Democrats is evident, especially when House Speaker Mike Johnson made the audacious move to ensure military healthcare wouldn’t cover transgender medical treatments for military children. As a result, many Democrats voted against the bill, leading to a 281-140 vote in the House. Such a shift indicates that the previously unthinkable—that a defense bill would become a battleground for cultural wars—has now become a familiar struggle. This doesn’t just raise eyebrows; it raises alarm bells about what’s lurking in the shadows of legislative negotiations.
Senate Republicans are not satisfied, claiming that a measly 1% raise in defense spending isn’t nearly enough considering the geopolitical threats of our time, particularly from China. Given that these senators are preparing to take back the White House and Congress, they’re looking to significantly ramp up funding, eyeing the kind of investment that could revitalize military capabilities rather than the slight increment included in this bill. With many pointing to the notion that we’re experiencing a national security crisis akin to World War II—talk about dramatic!
And let’s not forget those juicy pay raises. Junior enlisted service members will get a 14.5% bump in their pay, while others see a more modest 4.5% increase. It’s a positive but necessary step, considering many military families are finding themselves navigating food banks. But these changes also signal a commitment to enhancing military life, which has often been ignored or overshadowed by cultural distractions. Amidst all this whirlwind, the Republican-controlled House successfully prohibits funding that teaches critical race theory in military ranks; apparently, the left needs to realize that military men and women have more pressing concerns than diversity initiatives.
Of course, the bill’s provisions against funding for gender dysphoria treatment for minors are stirring up the usual hurricane of outrage from the left. It’s as if they believe that a military service member’s health care plan should cater to every whim without any regard for broader implications. Mike Zamore from the ACLU is lobbying fiercely for President Biden to veto this “unjust” bill, as if the military is a playground for contentious social policies rather than a platform for national defense.
As for Senator Tammy Baldwin, while her discontent is palpable over the lack of support for providing care to transgender service members’ children, it’s essential to remind her that national security and military effectiveness should come before the incessant push of political agendas. The idea that our service members and national defense should be beyond politicization is not just a quaint notion; it’s critical for preserving the integrity and strength of the military itself. Balancing national security priorities with social issues is a delicate act, but the priority should firmly lean toward ensuring a robust and effective defense system—because when push comes to shove, geopolitics don’t care about gender identity politics.
