The Senate passed its massive annual defense policy bill on Thursday after lawmakers that day reached a deal-earner to repeal the stalled legislation.
The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) passed by a vote of 77-20. It passed the House of Representatives last month, and now House and Senate Armed Services leaders are poised to negotiate a compromise bill before the end of the year.
The NDAA came to the Senate floor in early September but had seen little movement since then as of Thursday morning. Passage of the bill stalled as all 100 senators had to agree to a vote on amendments. Several points of contention led a handful of lawmakers to halt the process.
But Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) secured an agreement to vote on 17 stand-alone proposals and a managerial package with nearly 50 less contentious proposals. Voting took place throughout Thursday evening.
Issues resolved included a roadblock posted by Senator. Maria Cantwell (d-wash.), whoblocked the NdaaOn a bipartisan proposal to examine U.S. investments in China. She said she would move forward with the bill after receiving assurances that Microsoft, one of its state’s largest employers, would hire senators as part of the amendment.
Another failed attempt was Sen. Ruben Gallego’s (D-Ariz.) insistence that senators vote on his approval to mark air for veteran Ashli Babbitt, who was shot by police while trying to enter a restricted area of the Capitol during the insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021 – not eligible for military funeral honors, reported Politico.
Among the proposals passed was a repeal of the Act Authorizing the Use of Forces in Iraq (AUMF), which the House of Representatives also approved. It was approved by voice vote.
