Willie R. Tubbs, FISM News
[elfsight_social_share_buttons id=”1″]
House conservatives could pass the annual National Defense Authorization Act as early as Friday, but there is no guarantee House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has the votes to overcome staunch opposition, albeit for different reasons, from both the left and far right.
Late Thursday, conservatives narrowly added five amendments to the NDAA bill, each of which would force the military to a more conservative standing in relation to abortion and transgenderism.
One of those amendments would reverse the Pentagon’s policy of reimbursing service members who travel in order to get abortions.
“My amendment to STOP Biden from using the DOD to pay for abortion travel PASSED,” Rep. Ronnie Jackson (R-Texas) tweeted. “This policy is ILLEGAL, and soon, it will be GONE. This is a GREAT DAY for our country!!”
Jackson and other Republicans have long argued that allowing the Department of Defense to issue such reimbursements is a violation of the Hyde Amendment, which prevents federal dollars from being spent on abortions.
“Taxpayer dollars should not go to flying women around the country to get abortions,” Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) tweeted. “Subsidizing abortions violates the Hyde Amendment. Full stop.”
But Republicans went farther than just limiting abortion reimbursements. Members of the Freedom Caucus also attacked pro-LGBT efforts in the miliary ranks.
“Does a person’s race or skin color help them overcome hostile forces?” Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) said. “Does it allow us to win the next battle? Do rainbow bullets and flags scare away foes?”
“Does a person's race or skin color help them overcome hostile forces? Does it allow us to win the next battle? Do rainbow bullets and flags scare away foes?”
WATCH: Rep. Roy lays out his amendment to remove DEI officers from the Pentagon pic.twitter.com/Je6dzPo5Vo
— Rep. Chip Roy Press Office (@RepChipRoy) July 13, 2023
Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-Ga.) tweeted simply, “A WOKE military is a WEAK military.”
Arizona Congressman Andy Biggs took a unique stance, pushing for an amendment into that would exempt military operations from being impeded by the Endangered Species Act.
“My amendment to this year’s NDAA would exempt defense-related activity from the Endangered Species Act,” Biggs tweeted. “Our military cannot be prohibited from conducting training exercises due to a cactus standing in the way. We must maintain readiness.”
My amendment to this year’s NDAA would exempt defense-related activity from the Endangered Species Act.
Our military cannot be prohibited from conducting training exercises due to a cactus standing in the way.
We must maintain readiness. pic.twitter.com/MLNoJnWjBB
— Rep Andy Biggs (@RepAndyBiggsAZ) July 14, 2023
The passage of the amendments might have made the nights of conservatives of both the elected and constituent variety, but it made the NDAA’s pathway to passage all the more difficult as now not even moderate Democrats are likely to vote yes and some moderate Republicans might vote no.
The amendments passed along party lines with the exception of a pair of Republicans voting against the amendments and Texas Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar voting in support.
Under normal circumstances, these numbers would be sufficient for Republicans to narrowly pass the grander bill, but there is a second issue that might cost McCarthy his more conservative allies.
Numerous Republicans have expressed concern that the NDAA will include a new installment of millions ($300 million) to Ukraine.
“We have spent [more than $114 billion] in defense of Ukraine while recklessly disregarding our own borders & national security,” Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) said. “Republicans want to be supportive, but we’re very concerned, apoplectic & furious that all of this money has been spent on others while we can’t even protect ourselves.”
We have spent $114B+ in defense of Ukraine while recklessly disregarding our OWN borders & national security.
Republicans want to be supportive, but we're very concerned, apoplectic & furious that all of this money has been spent on OTHERS, while we can’t even protect OURSELVES. pic.twitter.com/jXJfcThV6h
— Congressman Byron Donalds (@RepDonaldsPress) July 13, 2023
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) attempted to enter an amendment to remove the Ukraine funding, but the effort was resoundingly defeated.
“I want to remind Congress once again, Ukraine is not America’s 51st state nor is Ukraine a NATO ally,” Greene said. “Passing America’s National [Green emphasized national in her speech and on Twitter] Defense Authorization Act should not include funding for endless foreign wars while there are homeless veterans laying in our streets.”
I want to remind Congress once again, Ukraine is not America’s 51st state nor is Ukraine a NATO ally.
Passing America’s NATIONAL Defense Authorization Act should not include funding for endless foreign wars while there are homeless veterans laying in our streets. pic.twitter.com/MjgsEC4dny
— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@RepMTG) July 13, 2023
In one of the few moments of bipartisanship to be found on Thursday, the House struck Green’s amendment by a 342-89 vote.
“[Three-hundred-forty-one] members of the U.S. House of Representatives just voted to reject my amendment & fund a proxy war with Russia in our NATIONAL Defense Authorization Act,” Green later tweeted.
Green, Donalds, and others – among them Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie, who has never in his congressional career voted for the NDAA – might prove the key numbers that kill the bill in its current form.