US President Joe Biden requested a budget of $886 billion for the 2024 defense programs which would be greenlit by the National Defense Authorization Act. Early on Friday, US lawmakers undertook the first step toward approving the NDAA, however, the Act included provisions that turned into a "culture war" between Democrats and Republicans.

Biden's proposed budget was aimed at offering US troops a pay increase of 5.2%, paying for nine new navy ships, and providing Ukraine with military packages worth $300 million.

While normally uncontroversial, the legislation divided the House of Representatives as almost every Democrat opposed its passing due to the provisions introduced by Republicans threatening to eliminate diversity programs and bring funding for abortions and transgender medical care for military personnel.

Democrat representative Adam Smith, who also serves as the leading lawmaker on the armed services committee, alongside a few other Democrat representatives, stated that "What was once an example of compromise and functioning government has become an ode to bigotry and ignorance."

Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy required near-unanimous backing in his tight five-seat majority to pass the 1,200-page bill on a 219-210 vote.

McCarthy caved to far-right pressure and included provisions that will almost surely be withdrawn in negotiations with the Democratic-led Senate, which begins debating its version of the bill next week. 

Primarily, Right-wing hardliners sought to gut Pentagon's diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. This meant the banning of the pro-LGBT pride flag from being displayed at military bases, and dropping all funding initially aimed toward transgender-related medical services.

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Furthermore, another polarizing provision targeted the issue of abortion as Republican representatives introduced a provision that would ban the Department of Defense from paying for travel fees for military members who need to cross state borders to have an abortion.

Significantly, the abortion provision was put forward by Republican Representative Ronny Jackson who used to be the White House physician.

These servicewomen leave their homes, their families, and friends, and are willing to risk their lives to serve our nation," Lois Frankel, the chairwoman of the Democratic Women's Caucus said. "And yet, House Republicans are adamant on ripping away their reproductive freedom and undoing a policy that would ensure they can travel to get abortion care. It's absolutely shameful."  

The divide became a major concern for Pentagon after Senator Tommy Tuberville blocked over 250 military promotions and nominations. In that regard, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the Marine Corps was left, for the first time in 164 years, without a recognized leader which has become a "national security issue." 

US House rejects budget amendment aimed at halting cluster bomb supply

The US House on Friday rejected a proposed amendment to the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would have stopped the US from supplying cluster bombs to Ukraine.

The measure, which was proposed by Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, was voted down by a majority of 276 voting against a minority of 147. 

Speaking about the proposed amendment on the House floor, Greene said that cluster bombs result in civilian deaths and could cause an escalation of the war rather than deterrence.

The lower chamber likewise rejected an amendment proposed by Greene to subtract $300 million in funding for Ukraine from the bill.

It also rejected an amendment from Congressman Matt Gaetz aimed at banning federal funds from being spent on providing security assistance to Ukraine.

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