Partisan Disputes Over Abortion, Surveillance, and Cryptocurrencies Put Defense Bill at Risk of Not Passing Congress
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The annual Defense authorization bill is at risk of not passing Congress before Christmas due to partisan disputes over issues like abortion, surveillance, and cryptocurrency regulations.
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Conservatives are demanding reforms to Pentagon policies on reimburseting abortion-related travel, funding gender transition surgery, and promoting critical race theory.
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Senators Mike Lee and Rand Paul may block efforts to temporarily extend surveillance authorities under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).
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A battle between a House Republican and Senate Democrat over cryptocurrency legislation is also posing an obstacle to passage of the defense bill.
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Other issues that could hold up the bill include compensation for nuclear contamination victims and banning Pentagon funding for transgender surgeries.