The House passed a defense bill that gives junior enlisted troops a pay raise and eliminates DEI programs at the Pentagon. The bill also addresses transgender healthcare coverage and other military-related issues.
Key Points
1. House passed defense bill with pay raise for troops and elimination of DEI programs.
2. Focus on quality-of-life improvements and addressing transgender healthcare coverage.
3. Legislation now heads to Senate for passage before going to President Biden.
Pros
Significant pay bump for junior enlisted troops
Focus on quality-of-life improvements for service members
Addressing transgender healthcare coverage
Support for deploying National Guard to the southern border
Cons
Opposition from Democrats on provision restricting coverage of transgender treatments for minors
Debate over 'woke' policies and partisanship in defense bill
Omissions in the bill regarding IVF coverage, abortion reimbursement, and climate change programs