With 86 votes in favor and 11 votes against, the Democratic-controlled Senate voted to pass the draft NDAA, agreeing to a proposal to spend a record $886 billion on defense programs in 2024, including a 5.2% pay increase for soldiers and $300 million in support for Ukraine's defense sector.

The US Senate has passed the draft National Defense Authorization Act 2024 (NDAA) separately from the House of Representatives. Photo:zonebourse.com

The Republican-controlled House had earlier passed its own version of the NDAA by a narrow 219-210 vote, after hard-line Republicans added provisions to address prominent social issues such as repealing a Pentagon policy that reimburses military personnel for travel to get abortions. The NDAA has passed every year since 1961, usually with strong support from both the Senate and the House.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said the tough provisions in the House bill would not be enacted into law. Democrats hold a 51-49 majority in the Senate, but both Democrats and Republicans said they did not want social issues to hinder the passage of the defense bill.

With the House and Senate passing separate bills, lawmakers will need to unify a bill that will pass both chambers before it can be sent to the White House and considered by President Joe Biden. Congress is scheduled to return in September after its August recess.

VNA

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