sat . BREAKING: House Passes $886B Defense Bill — Troops Get 4% Raise as Congress SHUTS DOWN All DEI Programs in Stunning 312–112 Vote!
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In a dramatic and highly watched floor vote, the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday passed the massive $886 billion National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) — a sweeping bill that boosts military funding, delivers a 4% pay raise for enlisted service members, and fully dismantles Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs across the Department of Defense.
The final tally: 312–112, a rare bipartisan outcome in an era of intense polarization.
But the vote breakdown revealed deep divisions:
- 18 Republicans voted NO
- 94 Democrats voted NO
Still, the majority of both parties joined forces to push the bill through, sending shockwaves through Washington.
🇺🇸 A Major Win for Troops: Pay Raise Secured
For nearly 1.3 million active-duty service members, the NDAA delivers a much-anticipated boost:
✔️ 4% pay raise for enlisted troops
✔️ Housing and cost-of-living adjustments
✔️ Increased funding for family support programs
Military advocates praised the move, noting that younger enlisted troops have been hit hardest by inflation and rising housing costs.
“This raise is long overdue,” one senior Pentagon official said. “It will directly impact morale and retention.”
❌ DEI Programs Eliminated — A Controversial Flashpoint
Perhaps the most explosive part of the bill:
Congress completely shuts down all DEI programs inside the Pentagon.
That includes:
- Eliminating DEI staff positions
- Terminating DEI training requirements
- Cutting funding for gender-based and race-based initiatives
- Reversing previous DEI directives implemented over the past several years
Supporters argue these measures streamline military readiness and “remove political agendas from the ranks.”
Critics, however, called it “a dangerous rollback” that could weaken diversity and create new cultural tensions within the armed forces.
The DEI debate is expected to continue in the Senate.
⚡ The Politics Behind the Vote
While the bill passed decisively, the ideological fault lines were clear:
- Some Republicans opposed the bill for not going far enough on Pentagon reforms.
- Nearly 100 Democrats opposed it due to the DEI cuts and concerns over culture-war amendments.
Still, leadership on both sides championed the bill as essential national security legislation.
“This is what governing looks like,” one senior Democrat said.
“It’s imperfect, but it strengthens the military,” a Republican aide added.
🛰️ What’s Inside the $886B Price Tag?
The NDAA includes:
- New investments in missile defense
- Cybersecurity upgrades
- Pacific deterrence measures aimed at China
- Nuclear modernization
- AI and drone warfare expansion
- Shipbuilding and aircraft procurement
- Support for Ukraine and Israel
Defense analysts say this bill marks one of the most significant modernization efforts in years.
🔥 What Happens Next?
The bill now heads to the Senate, where it is expected to pass with some amendments.
President Biden has not yet signaled whether he will sign the final version, but the White House has historically supported strong defense budgets.
If signed into law, the NDAA will reshape military policy for 2025 — from paychecks to training, recruitment, and global strategy.
📌 Conclusion
The House’s approval of the NDAA delivers a powerful message:
Congress may be divided, but the military remains a priority.
With troop pay rising and DEI programs eliminated, this vote ensures ripple effects across the Pentagon and the political landscape for years to come.
