Biden Will VETO Defense Bill If It Passes The Senate
President Joe Biden will veto a defense bill passed by House Republicans if presented with it, the White House announced on Monday, ushering in a partisan twist for the typically routine National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
The administration said it opposes the House passage of H.R.4366 due to restrictions placed on access to abortion for troops, transgender care services, and consideration of diversity.
The White House also said Biden will veto an agriculture spending bill. It accused House Speaker Kevin McCarthy of reneging on agreed spending levels reach during debt limit talks.
The House passed the defense bill 219 to 210 earlier this month. It included several amendments on social issues, including one from Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Texas, which prohibits the Pentagon from paying for services related to abortion, and one which bans military healthcare from paying for gender transition surgery.
The White House signaled its intention last week. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby, who is an admiral in the Navy, said in a White House briefing that access to abortion is essential for military readiness.
“Whether it’s about female service members, one in five, or female family members being able to count on the kinds of health care and reproductive care specifically that they need to serve, that is a foundational sacred obligation of military leaders across the river,” Kirby said.
Four Democrats voted in favor of the bill - Reps. Don Davis, N.C., Jared Golden, Maine, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, Wash., and Rep Gabriel Vazquez, N.M. Four Republicans - Ken Buck, Andy Biggs, Eli Crane, and Thomas Massive - voted against.
The administration also said the agriculture and health spending bill includes “numerous new, partisan policy provisions with devastating consequences” that would impact access to reproductive healthcare, marriage equality, climate change initiatives, and efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Republicans argue the defense bill is necessary to protect the military from politically-motivated changes. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy called it “essential legislation to protect our nation’s security and its brave men and women in uniform.”
Biden has not shied away from vetoing Republican bills since taking office. The White House has threatened to veto several bills if they reach Biden’s desk, including a sanctions bill targeting China.
The Defense and Agriculture Appropriations bills will now face prolonged negotiation in the Senate, as Democrats attempt to strip out the socially-motivated amendments before Biden is presented with them for his signature.