Staff Reports
The Senate is preparing to pass its own version of the annual defense bill, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), before the August recess. Unlike the House, which faced drama and partisan clashes over “culture war” amendments, Senate leaders hope to avoid such conflicts.
In the House, Republicans took advantage of their tight majority and added provisions on abortion, diversity initiatives, and transgender care to the final bill. However, Senate conservatives, who are in the minority, do not have the same leverage. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has made it clear that he will not allow any amendments that will derail the bill. Additionally, a 60-vote threshold for non-germane amendments further prevents any impulsive decision-making.
Senate works to avoid defense bill drama after House brawl https://t.co/Yr23Bh2itX
— Daily on Defense (@dailyondefense) July 21, 2023
Despite this, the Senate process is not without its challenges. Any single senator can slow down the passage through unanimous consent, and some senators, like Josh Hawley, have threatened to object to a time agreement unless certain issues are brought to the floor. However, many senators are hopeful that a compromise will be reached.
In the conference committee, where the House and Senate will negotiate a compromise NDAA, Republicans will have more leverage to address the social policies they support. A repeal of the Pentagon abortion policy, which made it into the House-passed bill, will also need to be dealt with in conference. Overall, Senate leaders are cautiously optimistic about the bill’s passage before the recess.
Conservative editorial opinion: It’s refreshing to see the Senate taking a more measured approach to the NDAA compared to the chaotic and partisan clashes in the House. While it’s important for both sides to have input, it’s equally important to avoid derailing the bill with unrelated amendments. The 60-vote threshold ensures that the Senate doesn’t make impulsive decisions that could harm national security. Hopefully, the Senate can navigate the challenges ahead and pass a strong defense bill that prioritizes our military while avoiding unnecessary distractions.
