On Friday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed its version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for 2024. The NDAA outlines national defense policy for the upcoming year.
U.S. Rep. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise) voiced his support for the House NDAA, saying, "This bill prioritizes a strong national defense, military readiness, and service members' needs over Biden's far-left, woke agenda at the Department of Defense (DOD)."
He added, "In the face of alarming recruiting numbers and emerging global threats, Republicans are working to ensure our military is focused on protecting American citizens."
Several of the bill's provisions pushing back against "wokeness" in the DOD are garnering controversy, including one that ends drag shows on military bases.
The bill also bans paid travel leave for soldiers traveling out of state to receive abortions, eliminates military diversity, equity and inclusion offices, and prohibits the DOD from funding gender transition surgeries.
China was also a significant focus of the NDAA. The House version of the bill "[p]rohibits the Department of Defense from contracting with companies that do business with China" and "[a]ccelerates the deployment of advanced radars to track Chinese surveillance equipment."
The NDAA narrowly passed the Republican-controlled House by a vote of 219-210 and now heads to the Democrat-controlled Senate.
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