Congress raises pay by 14.5% for junior soldiers in $895 billion defense bill, highlights restrictions on transgender treatment

Congressional leaders agreed to the terms of this year's defense policy bill, which includes nearly $900 billion in spending, new restrictions on transgender-related health care and big pay raises for junior U.S. military members.

Nearly 1,800 pages detailing the new National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the law that outlines the United States' defense and national security priorities each fiscal year, were released Saturday evening.

The bill details policies for $895.2 billion in federal spending.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) said the bill would “support law enforcement operations and the deployment of the National Guard to the Southwest border, encourage innovation, and encourage reductions in the United States and around the world.” It refocuses our military on its core mission of protecting our interests.” Acquisition schedules for new weapons, support for allies, and strengthening our nuclear posture and missile defense programs. ”

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Republican leaders say this includes a 14.5% pay increase for enlisted soldiers.

Another provision, referring to transgender children of U.S. military personnel, states that “medical interventions for the treatment of gender dysphoria that may lead to sterilization cannot be provided to children under the age of 18.”

The move sparked a backlash from the Human Rights Council, which called it an “attack” on military families.

“This cruel and hateful bill suddenly strips our members of the military of the access to family health care they rely on and gives them the choice between remaining in the military and providing health care for their children. “We may be forced to do so,” HRC Chairman Kelly said. Robinson said in a statement.

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The bill also includes border security elements that Republicans have long pushed, including a bipartisan effort to create a Northern Border Mission Center under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

“We also fully support deploying the National Guard to the southwestern border to interdict illegal aliens and drugs,” Johnson's office said in a statement.

House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) touted significant pay increases for junior soldiers. He also said the NDAA “puts service members first by increasing compensation, improving housing, supporting military spouses, expanding access to child care, ensuring access to health care, and more.” .

Other provisions also place limits on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)-based hiring and the teaching of critical race theory in military-run schools.

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House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers touted the bill's pay increases for junior soldiers. (Getty Images)

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The House is scheduled to vote on the NDAA next week.

The policy legislation has traditionally been passed with broad bipartisan support, with the exception of some progressives and conservatives critical of the U.S. defense industrial complex.

But it's not immediately clear how many Democrats will resist anti-DEI and anti-transgender health care provisions enough to vote against the bills that must pass.