The House Armed Services Committee overwhelmingly voted in favor of the annual defense bill known as the National Defense Authorization Act, though the 17-hour session was marked by frequent fights over culture war issues.
Lawmakers on the committee considered more than 800 amendments on Wednesday that touched on everything from the Department of Defense’s diversity and inclusion efforts to a proposed relocation of U.S. Space Command.
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Democrats criticized the amendments targeting "woke" policies, including one to eliminate the Pentagon’s top diversity officer, with Rep. Steven Horsford (D-NV) accusing Republicans of attempting to divide the military.
“Our military knows that diversity of our soldiers is a strength,” Horsford, who is black, tweeted. “Some of my colleagues often insist that government should be run like a business. Yet they're focused on creating divisions in the military, instead of following the same practices as our best defense companies.”
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) introduced an amendment that ultimately passed barring funding for drag shows at military facilities, an issue the Florida Republican has confronted DOD leaders about previously. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered an end to drag shows on bases after Gaetz questioned him about it at a hearing earlier this year.
Many of the amendments in this vein were tabled for a future vote.
The committee ultimately voted near-unanimously, 58-1, to approve the defense budget, with Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) as the lone dissenter.
“Providing for our nation’s defense is the top priority for the House Armed Services Committee and I am incredibly proud of the bipartisan work we’ve accomplished in the FY24 NDAA,” committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-AL) said in a statement. “This year’s NDAA includes provisions that counter China’s aggression, boost oversight of the Department of Defense, and support our service members and their families."
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"Additionally, this year’s bill saves taxpayers billions of dollars while still making critical investments in innovative technologies and our defense industrial base,” he added.
Republicans and Democrats on the committee have repeatedly butted heads over the implementation of diversity and inclusion efforts. The committee has held hearings this year with military leaders in which Republicans have grilled those officials on its policies. Military officials often argue these efforts create a more capable fighting force.