President Joe Biden officially enacted a new defense bill on Monday, which includes important pay increases for junior enlisted military personnel and allocates a total of $895 billion towards military spending. This decision comes despite his objections to a clause that prohibits coverage for transgender medical treatments for military families’ children.
Biden expressed clear opposition to this particular provision, indicating that it unfairly targets individuals based on their gender identity and interferes with parents’ rights to make healthcare decisions for their children. He highlighted that this measure could hinder the military’s capacities to attract and retain skilled service members. “No service member should have to choose between their family’s access to healthcare and serving our country,” he stated in his remarks.
The Senate passed the bill last week with a strong majority of 85-14 before forwarding it to the President. However, the House of Representatives saw opposition mainly from Democrats after House Speaker Mike Johnson insisted on including the ban on transgender healthcare for minors. Despite this opposition, the legislation was approved by a vote of 281-140.
In addition to the transgender medical care clause, Biden criticized another aspect of the bill that restricts funding intended for the transfer of detainees from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to foreign nations and the U.S. He called on Congress to reconsider these limitations.
The defense authorization bill, which lays out policy directives for the Pentagon, authorizes a substantial 14.5% salary increase for junior enlisted personnel and a 4.5% raise for other ranks. This legislation emphasizes a more aggressive strategy regarding China, including the establishment of a fund designed to support military resources to Taiwan similarly to how the U.S. has been assisting Ukraine. Further investments are planned in advanced military technologies, particularly in artificial intelligence, and to enhance U.S. ammunition production capabilities.
Moreover, the U.S. has continued its efforts in recent years to prevent the military from acquiring products made in China. This bill expands on previous measures, prohibiting the purchase of a wide range of Chinese goods, including garlic in military stores as well as drone technology.
Before implementation, the new legislation will still require a supporting financial package.
