The House voted to advance the more than 1,800-page NDAA along party lines, 211-207, teeing up a final vote.
But the NDAA faces a major roadblock once it hits the House floor, with Democrats objecting to an amendment that restricts gender-affirming care for the children of servicemembers if it results in “sterilization.”
Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.), ranking member on the House Armed Services Committee, said in a Tuesday statement that he would oppose the NDAA because of the transgender provision.
Smith said “blanketly denying health care to people who need it—just because of a biased notion against transgender people—is wrong.”
“The inclusion of this harmful provision puts the lives of children at risk and may force thousands of service members to make the choice of continuing their military service or leaving to ensure their child can get the health care they need,” he said.
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has praised the transgender restriction.
“We banned TRICARE from prescribing treatments that would ultimately sterilize our kids,” Johnson said, referring to the military’s healthcare service.
The annual defense bill also would restrict the Defense Department from establishing any new positions related to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), a year after the legislation passes.
The NDAA includes some bipartisan measures, including a 14.5 percent pay raise for junior enlisted servicemembers and separately, a 4.5 percent pay raise for all other service members.
It also includes funding to bolster the U.S. presence in the Indo-Pacific, procure seven warships and build around 200 aircraft and more than 300 vehicles.
The NDAA is one of the must-pass bills every year, and the Senate and House armed services committees reconcile separate versions in conference before unveiling it, usually in December.
Since the GOP has the majority in the House, they could advance it even with Democrats opposed, but the Democratic-controlled Senate may still come out against it.
Senate GOP Whip John Thune (S.D.) is expected to bring the NDAA to the floor next week.
Read more NDAA coverage at TheHill.com.
