WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Tuesday, the U.S. House cleared a key procedural hurdle to advance several priorities, including a supplemental funding package, a temporary government funding measure — and the National Defense Authorization Act.
The annual Pentagon policy bill, known as the National Defense Authorization Act, is considered must-pass legislation. Republicans are trying to get that — and other party priorities — passed before the five-week August recess at the end of the week.
The more than $1.15 trillion Pentagon bill sets spending and policy priorities for defense and military.
The bill’s path, so far, has been politically complicated. House leaders tried to bring it up last month, but demands over the SAVE America Act and an immigration bill upended the floor schedule. GOP Leaders reportedly agreed to attach the SAVE America Act to the defense bill once it passes.
The Senate also considered the NDAA last week, but it was blocked by Democrats over objections to the war with Iran.
“Senate Democrats will now force another vote this week to end this unauthorized war and bring our troops home. Trump cannot hide the wounded and call it peace. Congress must end this war,” said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.
Republicans say the NDAA needs to be finalized quickly.
“At the end of the day, we face a very serious enemy. We are in a very difficult position,” said Rep. Mike Kelly, R-Pa. “The world’s in a very difficult position, and it’s time for us to get things done.”
Secretary Pete Hegseth was on Capitol Hill Tuesday to make his pitch to Senate appropriators for additional dollars to address the Iran conflict. The dollars are part of a $95 billion supplemental funding request for the Pentagon, for farmers and for election security.
