The Senate passed an $858 billion defense spending bill on Thursday that would end the Defense Department’s mandate for troops to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The bill was linked to the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA).
The combined measure includes a major increase in the Pentagon’s budget. The military bill totals $858 billion.
The bill will also grant another $800 million in taxpayer funds to the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative as part of the U.S. effort to help Ukraine defend itself against an ongoing Russian invasion. The U.S. has already sent around $68 billion in humanitarian and military assistance to Ukraine in three major packages.
The defense package, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), previously passed the House on Dec. 8 in a 350–80 vote.
Bottom Line
In it’s passing, the bill will:
Boost next year’s Pentagon budget by $45 billion more than President Biden requested (including $19 billion just to keep up with inflation).
Grant 4.6% pay raises to military personnel
Provide $800 million more in security aid to Ukraine
Give the president authority to give Taiwan up to $1 billion in weapons and munitions
Earmark $1 billion to resupply the nation’s defense stockpile
Amend the Pentagon’s policy for handling sexual assault and harassment cases
New Arguments
The Senate rejected an amendment proposed by Sens. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas), which would have reinstated service members removed exclusively for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine, as well as compensation for any salary and benefits lost due to the separation.
The amendment failed, with 40 senators supporting it and 54 opposing it. Opponents were concerned about the precedent of rewarding military personnel who defied an order.
Manchin Permitting Overhaul Dies Again
Another effort by sometimes centrist Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) to attach fossil fuel permitting reform to the bill also failed.
As part of a private deal to win Manchin’s support for the $740 billion Inflation Reduction Act (climate bill), Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) promised Manchin that permitting reform would be taken up before the end of the year. The procedural vote Thursday was 47-47, far short of the 60 necessary for consideration on the fiscal 2023 NDAA, which kills the permitting overhaul for now.
It’s the third time since September that Republicans and Democrats in both chambers have nixed the West Virginia Democrat’s proposal to accelerate environmental review timeframes in the permitting of energy projects.
Manchin could try again to insert the language into the omnibus spending measure that lawmakers are preparing now, and intend to pass by next Friday.
Manchin’s proposal also sought completion of the Mountain Valley Pipeline, a natural gas pipeline running through West Virginia and Virginia.
More on policy:
NCGA Adds to the List of Those Urging Biden to Address Mexico’s GMO Corn Ban
Soil Health a Priority in Latest USDA Climate Funding
