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* The NDAA will include a short-term extension of the FBI spy tool until April
* It also includes an amendment by Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, that will prohibit Pentagon from using taxpayer dollars to fund Wuhan lab virus experiments
* The massive package will now go to the House for final passage this week
The Senate passed the massive $886 billion annual defense authorization bill that includes a pay raise for U.S. troops and a short-term extension of the FBI’s controversial surveillance tool.
The vote was 87-13 and includes a 5.2 percent pay raise for U.S. troops and require the Pentagon to inform service members who were fired for not receiving the COVID-19 vaccine that they can be reinstated.
It also contains $300 million in additional authorized funds for Ukraine in fiscal year 2024 – through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative – and $11.5 billion to deter the rising threat from China.
Read more ….
WNU Editor: The House has just approved the Senate bill …. House passes defense policy bill, a rebuke of GOP’s far-right fringe (Boston Globe). More here …. House sends defense bill to Biden, despite conservative anger over spy powers, culture wars (Politico), and here …. House passes massive $886 BILLION defense bill despite Republican turmoil over inclusion of short-term extension of FBI spy tool: Lawmakers flee D.C. for holidays as Senate is still negotiating border security and Ukraine and Israel aid (Daily Mail).
U.S. Senate Passes $886 Billion Annual Defense Authorization Bill
Here’s what’s in the $886 billion defense bill — CNN
Congress passes $886 billion defense policy bill, Biden to sign into law — Reuters
US Lawmakers Pass Sweeping $886 Billion Defense Spending Bill — VOA
Senate passes $886 billion defense spending bill with pay raises for troops, Ukraine aid — USA Today
US Senate passes $886-billion draft defense budget for 2024 — TASS