U.S. House of Representatives Approves $886 Billion Pentagon Budget

The $886 billion budget for the U.S. Department of Defense, the Pentagon, was approved by the House of Representatives on Friday, June 14, with 219 votes in favor and 210 against. According to Reuters, this budget includes a pay raise for military personnel, plans to counter China, and an additional $300 million allocated to support Ukraine in its defense against the Russian invasion. During the debate in the House, Democrats warned that they would not support amendments related to social issues in the defense budget. The House also passed an amendment by a vote of 221 to 213 that ends the Department of Defense's policy of reimbursing military personnel who travel for abortions. The U.S. Supreme Court declared abortion illegal in its ruling on the case known as 'Roe v. Wade,' leading several states to impose new restrictions on abortion, although it remains legal in some states. The purpose of the reimbursement policy for travel for abortion was to assist individuals in the military who or their family members intend to have an abortion in states where it is legal. The House also prohibited the Pentagon from covering the costs of gender reassignment surgery and hormone therapy with a vote of 222 in favor and 211 against. House Republicans were able to pass their amendments without Democratic support, but approval in the Senate, where Democrats hold the majority, is unlikely. The Senate is expected to pass its version of this bill in late July, after which both chambers will negotiate to present a final version for a vote later this year. Google also warned that the Pentagon is using artificial intelligence to detect 'deepfakes.' The Pentagon is increasing control over classified information, and the U.S. rejected China's requests to lift sanctions.