Latest Breaking News

BumRushDaShow

(144,187 posts) Tue Dec 17, 2024, 07:16 AM Dec 17

US Senate advances massive defense bill, despite transgender provision

Source: Reuters

December 16, 2024 7:21 PM EST Updated 12 hours ago

WASHINGTON, Dec 16 (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate on Monday voted overwhelmingly to advance an $895 billion bill setting policy for the Pentagon toward passage as soon as Tuesday, which would send it to the White House for President Joe Biden to sign into law. The tally was 83 to 12 in favor of advancing the National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, to a vote on final passage, comfortably over the 60 needed in the 100-member Senate.

The bill advanced despite the inclusion of a controversial provision aimed at banning some gender-affirming care for transgender children of service members. This year's NDAA authorizes a record $895 billion in annual military spending, covering provisions on purchases of military equipment and boosting competitiveness with archrivals including China and Russia.

The 1,800-page bill also focuses on improving the quality of life for the U.S. military. It authorizes a 14.5% pay increase for the lowest-ranking troops, and 4.5% for the rest of the force, higher than usual. It also authorizes the construction of military housing, schools and childcare centers.

The bill bans the military health program, TRICARE, from covering gender-affirming care for the transgender children of service members if it could risk sterilization. Including the provision in the bill setting policy for the Department of Defense underscored how transgender issues have become a focus in U.S. politics.

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-senate-advances-895-billion-defense-policy-bill-voting-continues-2024-12-16/

15 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

US Senate advances massive defense bill, despite transgender provision (Original Post) BumRushDaShow Dec 17 OP

I don't quite understand this hysteria over transgender children. Walleye Dec 17 #1

yes, parents are exactly afraid of that and it's not silly, even for pro-trans parents LymphocyteLover Dec 17 #3

OK lonely bird Dec 17 #4

Yes, I agree on that LymphocyteLover Dec 17 #7

The hysteria is what republicans want to say and believe oldmanlynn Dec 17 #6

Humans just can't get along.... Lovie777 Dec 17 #2

Well, some of us humans can't get along. Biophilic Dec 17 #5

The real problem is the budget Polybius Dec 17 #8

A HUGE raise for low-ranking service members. 70sEraVet Dec 17 #9

Is line-item veto still a thing? Asking for a friend. CapnSteve Dec 17 #10

No. Miguelito Loveless Dec 17 #11

Thanks and bummer. CapnSteve Dec 17 #15

So the Dems throws Miguelito Loveless Dec 17 #12

There were 20+ who were attempting to get it stricken BumRushDaShow Dec 17 #13

More likely they didn't want the bill to fail over this poison pill maxsolomon Dec 17 #14

Walleye

(36,390 posts)

1. I don't quite understand this hysteria over transgender children.

Reply to BumRushDaShow (Original post)

Tue Dec 17, 2024, 07:18 AM

Dec 17

I mean, how many could there be anyway. What are parents afraid of, that their children will come to them and demand they get their sex changed? That’s just silly.

LymphocyteLover

(6,968 posts)

3. yes, parents are exactly afraid of that and it's not silly, even for pro-trans parents

Reply to Walleye (Reply #1)

Tue Dec 17, 2024, 07:54 AM

Dec 17

it's a serious life-changing event. It happened with my kid and it was a little scary because it was so unexpected and he was all grown up. We were supportive of his decision if he felt like he needed to do it, but he ended up changing his mind. It was a hard and confusing time.

lonely bird

(1,968 posts)

4. OK

Reply to LymphocyteLover (Reply #3)

Tue Dec 17, 2024, 08:25 AM

Dec 17

I am sure it is scary. So, doesn’t that mean it should be between the child, their parents and doctors?

It is none of the business of congress or state legislators.

LymphocyteLover

(6,968 posts)

7. Yes, I agree on that

Reply to lonely bird (Reply #4)

Tue Dec 17, 2024, 09:20 AM

Dec 17

oldmanlynn

(509 posts)

6. The hysteria is what republicans want to say and believe

Reply to Walleye (Reply #1)

Tue Dec 17, 2024, 09:03 AM

Dec 17

Any boy do they amp up the message and its effective. We dont have a counter to their misinformation.

Lovie777

(15,211 posts)

2. Humans just can't get along....

Reply to BumRushDaShow (Original post)

Tue Dec 17, 2024, 07:24 AM

Dec 17

Seems we always have to have a hatred in order to succeed and continue dominates.

Biophilic

(4,986 posts)

5. Well, some of us humans can't get along.

Reply to Lovie777 (Reply #2)

Tue Dec 17, 2024, 08:29 AM

Dec 17

Polybius

(18,354 posts)

8. The real problem is the budget

Reply to BumRushDaShow (Original post)

Tue Dec 17, 2024, 09:51 AM

Dec 17

$895 billion in annual military spending

70sEraVet

(4,235 posts)

9. A HUGE raise for low-ranking service members.

Reply to BumRushDaShow (Original post)

Tue Dec 17, 2024, 10:39 AM

Dec 17

It should help the military meet recruitment goals. After all, SOMEBODY has to round up all those undocumented folks, and keep the protests tamped down.

CapnSteve

(265 posts)

10. Is line-item veto still a thing? Asking for a friend.

Reply to BumRushDaShow (Original post)

Tue Dec 17, 2024, 12:24 PM

Dec 17

Miguelito Loveless

(4,701 posts)

11. No.

Reply to CapnSteve (Reply #10)

Tue Dec 17, 2024, 01:27 PM

Dec 17

But Trump is going to try the equivalent through "impoundment", which the SCOTUS will approve.

CapnSteve

(265 posts)

15. Thanks and bummer.

Reply to Miguelito Loveless (Reply #11)

Tue Dec 17, 2024, 05:56 PM

Dec 17

Miguelito Loveless

(4,701 posts)

12. So the Dems throws

Reply to BumRushDaShow (Original post)

Tue Dec 17, 2024, 01:29 PM

Dec 17

Trans community under the train rather than take a principled stand.

BumRushDaShow

(144,187 posts)

13. There were 20+ who were attempting to get it stricken

Reply to Miguelito Loveless (Reply #12)

Tue Dec 17, 2024, 02:18 PM

Dec 17

Democratic senators seek to ax transgender care ban from defense bill

Dec. 16, 2024, 4:40 PM EST / Updated Dec. 17, 2024, 8:33 AM EST
By Matt Lavietes

More than 20 Democratic senators introduced an amendment Monday evening to remove language from Congress’ massive defense spending bill that seeks to ban coverage of gender-affirming care for transgender children of service members, the office of Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., told NBC News.

The 1,800-page National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, passed the House last week by a vote of 281-140, with 200 Republicans and 81 Democrats voting “yes,” and 124 Democrats and 16 Republicans voting “no.” The $895 billion bill authorizes the annual budget for the Defense Department and sets defense policies for the upcoming year.

The group of 21 senators, led by Baldwin — who will be the Senate’s sole LGBTQ member in the new term — is seeking to remove a provision tucked into the bill that would prohibit “medical treatment for military dependents under the age of 18 who are diagnosed with gender dysphoria” under the military’s health care program, Tricare.

“Let’s be clear: we’re talking about parents who are in uniform serving our country who have earned the right to make the best decisions for their families. I trust our servicemembers and their doctors to make the best healthcare decisions for their kids, not politicians,” Baldwin said in a statement. “Our amendment would protect military families’ right to make their own decisions and access sometimes lifesaving care for their children.”

(snip)

The timing of the Reuters article and this one cross as the Reuters one indicated the Senate passed the NDAA yesterday 83-12 and the NBC article was updated this morning.

It's still possible to slide something onto the C.R. they are working on but I don't know if that is being considered or what.

This was the Roll Call for the NDAA in the Senate - https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1182/vote_118_2_00324.htm

NAYs ---12

Baldwin (D-WI)
Booker (D-NJ)
Lee (R-UT)
Markey (D-MA)
Merkley (D-OR)
Paul (R-KY)
Sanders (I-VT)
Schatz (D-HI)
Schiff (D-CA)
Stabenow (D-MI)
Warren (D-MA)
Wyden (D-OR)

Not Voting - 5

Cassidy (R-LA)
Fetterman (D-PA)
Romney (R-UT)
Rubio (R-FL)
Vance (R-OH)

As a note - the provision being "banned' is not the procedure itself but for TRICARE to pay for it.

maxsolomon

(35,358 posts)

14. More likely they didn't want the bill to fail over this poison pill

Reply to Miguelito Loveless (Reply #12)

Tue Dec 17, 2024, 04:07 PM

Dec 17

that the Repukes put in - and was certainly in the House version.

Reply to this discussion