Posted 11/28/2023, 7:16:00 PM
Biden Seeks Bipartisan Deal on Military Budget Without Hardline Abortion, Diversity Restrictions
- Democrat and Republican lawmakers will negotiate the military spending budget for the next fiscal year during a formal conference this week
- The House and Senate passed different versions of the bill before the Thanksgiving recess, with disputes over issues like abortion and diversity policies
- The Senate version authorizes $886 billion in defense spending and includes a 5.2% pay raise for military personnel
- The House version incorporates GOP amendments restricting abortion access and transgender-affirming treatments for service members
- President Biden has indicated he would not sign the House version due to the hardline Republican priorities it contains