The US&nbsp;House Of Representatives on Friday passed its version of the annual defense policy bill that included measures taking aim at abortion rights and treatment of transgender service members, divisive social issues which threaten to derail the must-pass legislation.

The Senate Armed Services Committee will now work with the House to form a compromise version of the fiscal 2025 National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA.

This year's House version of the bill, an annual measure that sets policy for the Department of Defense, authorizes a record $895 billion in spending, a 1% increase over last year.

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The sprawling legislation was approved in the House by a vote of 217-199, with six Democrats in support and three Republicans voting no.

Senate Democrats are unlikely to go along with the conservative social issue provisions inserted into the measure.

The US House Of Representatives on Friday passed its version of the annual defense policy bill that included measures taking aim at abortion rights and treatment of transgender service members, divisive social issues which threaten to derail the must-pass legislation.

The US House Of Representatives on Friday passed its version of the annual defense policy bill that included measures taking aim at abortion rights and treatment of transgender service members, divisive social issues which threaten to derail the must-pass legislation. The Senate Armed Services Committee will now work with the House to form a compromise version of the fiscal 2025 National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA. This year's House version of the bill, an annual measure that sets policy for the Department of Defense, authorizes a record $895 billion in spending, a 1% increase over last year. Also read: New photos reveal brutal conditions inside El Salvador's mega-prison for gang members The sprawling legislation was approved in the House by a vote of 217-199, with six Democrats in support and three Republicans voting no. Senate Democrats are unlikely to go along with the conservative social issue provisions inserted into the measure.

House approves defence policy bill with divisive provision on abortion, transgender troops

The US Senate on Thursday voted on the annual defence policy bill worth $858 billion which will now be sent to President Joe Biden for his signature. It allocates $817 billion specifically to the Department of Defense and exceeds Biden's Pentagon budget by $45 billion, but it isn't clear how many initiatives will be funded. The bill also cancels a mandate for troops to receive the Covid vaccine.

It passed the upper chamber in an 83-11 vote and was approved by the House last week. The bill has guidelines on how federal dollars can be spent on the Pentagon, besides the US military and related programmes. The bill this year includes provision for giving aid to Ukraine in its fight against Russia and funds for Taiwan. It also authorises a 4.6 per cent pay raise for military service members and measures to address rising costs due to inflation.

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Repealing the Covid vaccine mandate for the military follows a push for it by congressional Republicans. Expressing happiness at the decision, &nbsp;House GOP leader Kevin McCarthy said, “The end of President Biden’s military COVID vaccine mandate is a victory for our military and for common sense.”

If the bill is passed, this would be the 62nd consecutive year that a legislation will be enacted regarding military policy and increased Pentagon spending. It follows weeks of negotiations between key House and Senate lawmakers.

Besides, a short-term budget bill that extends federal funding at current levels until December 23,&nbsp;was also approved.&nbsp;It joins the House of Representatives to avert a shutdown of federal services. Senators voted 71-19 in favour of the bill and it will not be sent to Biden.

Congress now has another week to negotiate a longer-term spending deal covering through the end of fiscal 2023. The bill was a must-pass and the Congress had until midnight Friday to adopt a spending bill, barring which funding for federal services would have been cut and operations across the government would have come to a halt.&nbsp;

In case it hadn't happened, a shutdown would have ensued, leading to furlough of hundreds of thousands of federal workers. A winter 2018-2019 shutdown, the longest in US history, even affected baggage screening at airports.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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The US Senate on Thursday voted on the annual defence policy bill worth $858 billion which will now be sent to President Joe Biden for his signature. It allocates $817 billion specifically to the Department of Defense and exceeds Biden's Pentagon budget by $45 billion, but it isn't clear how many initiatives will be funded.

The US Senate on Thursday voted on the annual defence policy bill worth $858 billion which will now be sent to President Joe Biden for his signature. It allocates $817 billion specifically to the Department of Defense and exceeds Biden's Pentagon budget by $45 billion, but it isn't clear how many initiatives will be funded. The bill also cancels a mandate for troops to receive the Covid vaccine. It passed the upper chamber in an 83-11 vote and was approved by the House last week. The bill has guidelines on how federal dollars can be spent on the Pentagon, besides the US military and related programmes. The bill this year includes provision for giving aid to Ukraine in its fight against Russia and funds for Taiwan. It also authorises a 4.6 per cent pay raise for military service members and measures to address rising costs due to inflation. Also Read | US authorises $800 million additional funds for Ukraine in defence bill Repealing the Covid vaccine mandate for the military follows a push for it by congressional Republicans. Expressing happiness at the decision, House GOP leader Kevin McCarthy said, “The end of President Biden’s military COVID vaccine mandate is a victory for our military and for common sense.” If the bill is passed, this would be the 62nd consecutive year that a legislation will be enacted regarding military policy and increased Pentagon spending. It follows weeks of negotiations between key House and Senate lawmakers. Besides, a short-term budget bill that extends federal funding at current levels until December 23, was also approved. It joins the House of Representatives to avert a shutdown of federal services. Senators voted 71-19 in favour of the bill and it will not be sent to Biden. Congress now has another week to negotiate a longer-term spending deal covering through the end of fiscal 2023. The bill was a must-pass and the Congress had until midnight Friday to adopt a spending bill, barring which funding for federal services would have been cut and operations across the government would have come to a halt. In case it hadn't happened, a shutdown would have ensued, leading to furlough of hundreds of thousands of federal workers. A winter 2018-2019 shutdown, the longest in US history, even affected baggage screening at airports. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US Senate passes $858bn defence bill; repeals vaccine mandate for troops

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House approves defence policy bill with divisive provision on abortion, transgender troops

US Senate passes $858bn defence bill; repeals vaccine mandate for troops