President Biden Signed Defense Spending Bill into Law
U.S. President Joe Biden signed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) into law, approving $768.2 billion in military spending
Joe Biden, the President of the United States, signed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) into law Monday. The move approved $768.2 billion in funds in military spending, including around 2.7 percent pay raise for service members, for 2022. Moreover, the NDAA authorizes a five percent increase in military spending and is the outcome of extreme talks between GOP leaders and Democrats over matters ranging from reforms of the military justice system to Coronavirus vaccine requirements for troops.
Biden Signed the $770 Billion Defense Bill that passed Congress with bipartisan support, over the opposition of liberals screaming for the usual and obvious social investments. The bill increased spending in almost every part of the military.
— INVESTIGATE THE CRAP OUT OF EVERY ONE OF THEM! (@hduverge) December 28, 2021
Biden stated that the Act provides crucial benefits and boosts access to justice for soldiers, including their family members. It also includes essential authorities to support the national defense of the country. Additionally, the $768.2 billion marks $25 billion more than the president initially asked from Congress. Democrats and Republicans rejected a previous proposal and said it would weaken the United States’ efforts to keep pace uniformly with Russia and China.
Earlier this month, the new bill was approved with bipartisan support, with Republicans and Democrats pushing wins in the concluding package. Democratic leaders supported provisions in the bill overhauling how the armed justice system handles sexual assault and other related offenses, successfully taking prosecutorial authority over these types of crimes out of the hands of military commanders.
Funds for Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative
Meanwhile, GOP touted success in blocking an effort to add women to the draft, including the addition of a provision that stops dishonorable discharges for military members who refuse the COVID-19 vaccine. In addition, the bill includes around $7.1 billion for the Pacific Deterrence Initiative and a statement of congressional support for the Taiwan defense, actions aimed to lessen the influence of China in the region.
US President Joe Biden Signed Defense Spending Bill of $768.2b into Law Source: Web
The Biden-approved package includes $300 million for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, a show of support in the face of Russian violence, and $4 billion for the European Defense Initiative. Biden also mentioned several provisions his government opposes over what he characterized as legal concerns or construction questions. Those plans include conditions that limit the use of funds to transfer or release people detained at the Guantanamo Bay jail, which the Biden government is moving to close.
The statement of the president said that the provisions excessively impair the ability of the executive branch when and where to prosecute prisoners and where to send them when they are free from detention. It could also restrict American talks with foreign nations over the transfer of prisoners in a way that could weaken national security.
