Senate defense bill/ troop pay raise/ China military strategy/ Pentagon policy changes/ U.S. military spending/ WASHINGTON/ Newslooks/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The Senate passed an $895 billion defense bill that includes significant pay raises for troops and measures to counter China’s influence. The legislation, which bans gender-affirming care for military minors, drew bipartisan support despite cultural policy disputes and heads to President Biden for approval.
Senate Passes $895B Defense Bill: Quick Looks
- Troop Pay Raises: Junior enlisted service members to receive a 14.5% raise.
- China Strategy: Funds for Taiwan defense, AI investment, and supply chain restrictions.
- Cultural Provisions: Ban on gender-affirming care for minors under military health plans.
- Military Improvements: Housing, childcare, and spousal employment support included.
- Bipartisan Split: Democrats divided over transgender policy; Republicans push spending boost.
- Future Focus: Trump expected to implement additional Pentagon policy changes.
- Global Context: Ban on Chinese goods sparks backlash from Beijing.
Senate OKs $895B Defense Bill Raising Troop Pay, Countering China
Deep Look
The Senate passed a sweeping $895 billion defense bill on Wednesday, delivering pay raises for U.S. troops, expanding military resources to counter China, and stirring controversy with provisions tied to cultural debates. The bill now heads to President Joe Biden for final approval.
Troop Pay and Quality of Life
The legislation provides a 14.5% pay raise for junior enlisted service members and a 4.5% increase for others. Lawmakers emphasized these measures to address the financial struggles of military families:
“It includes major quality of life improvements, enhancing things like childcare, housing, medical services, and employment support for military spouses,” said Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Countering China’s Influence
The bill strengthens U.S. efforts to counter China by:
- Establishing a fund to provide military resources to Taiwan, mirroring support for Ukraine.
- Investing in advanced military technologies, including artificial intelligence.
- Bolstering U.S. ammunition production.
- Expanding bans on Chinese-made goods, including drones and even garlic, in military supply chains.
Beijing dismissed the U.S. restrictions as excessive.
“I don’t think it could ever occur to garlic that it would pose a ‘major threat’ to the U.S.,” said Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning.
Despite China’s objections, bipartisan agreement in Congress frames Beijing as a rising threat to U.S. security.
Cultural and Policy Divides
The defense bill became a battleground for cultural issues. A key point of contention was the inclusion of a provision banning military health plans from covering gender-affirming care for minors. Some Democrats, like Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., opposed the bill over this policy:
“This year, that was ignored — all to gut the rights of our service members to get the health care they need for their children.”
Additional controversial provisions, such as restricting abortion-related travel reimbursements and removing diversity initiatives, were excluded from the final version.
Military Spending and Future Plans
Republicans criticized the bill’s 1% increase in defense spending as insufficient amid global unrest. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., warned that limited funding could force trade-offs between troop pay and investments in critical weapons systems.
Republicans aim to push for a “generational boost” in defense spending once President-elect Donald Trump takes office in January. Trump is expected to implement broader changes to Pentagon policies, including reversing gender-affirming care initiatives for transgender troops.
Global and Domestic Repercussions
The bill’s provisions reflect the Pentagon’s national defense strategy, which prioritizes countering threats from China and Russia. Measures to strengthen Taiwan’s defenses come as Chinese military activity near the self-governed island intensifies.
The legislation also underscores Congress’s growing concern over supply chain security, extending bans on Chinese-made goods.
Looking Ahead
While the bill passed with bipartisan support, cultural debates and global challenges highlighted the divisions shaping U.S. defense policy. As Trump’s administration prepares to take office, further changes to military policy and spending priorities are anticipated.
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