Get 40% Off
🤯 This Tech Portfolio is up 29% YTD! Join Now to Get April’s Top PicksGet The Picks – Just 99 USD

U.S. House panel backs defense bill, Confederate battle looms

Published 07/02/2020, 12:37 PM
Updated 07/02/2020, 12:40 PM
© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: Police officers wearing face masks guard the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington

© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: Police officers wearing face masks guard the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S. House of Representatives committee unanimously backed a $741 billion defense bill late on Wednesday, setting the stage for a battle with President Donald Trump over naming military bases for Confederate generals and moving troops from Germany.

The House Armed Services Committee approved its version of the annual National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, by 56-0 shortly before midnight.

The bill sets policy for the Department of Defense on everything from how many ships are built to benefits for troops to how the country should counter threats from Russia and China.

Because it is one of the few bills Congress passes every year, lawmakers use the NDAA as a vehicle for a wide range of policy provisions.

The House version of the 2021 NDAA includes an amendment to remove the names of Confederate generals, who fought U.S. forces during the Civil War, from military bases within a year.

The Senate's version of the NDAA includes a provision to change the names within three years.

Widespread protests over the treatment of Black Americans and bipartisan support in Congress make it likely that some version of the provision will remain in the NDAA as it moves through Congress.

After the House and Senate pass their versions, they will negotiate a compromise version of the bill, which both chambers must pass before it can be sent to Trump.

Trump has promised a veto, breaking with several of his fellow Republicans in Congress who favor changing the names. The House provision was introduced by Democratic Representative Anthony Brown and Republican Don Bacon.

© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: Police officers wearing face masks guard the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington

The House NDAA also would make it more difficult for Trump to follow through on plans to reduce the number of U.S. troops stationed in Germany by barring their removal unless the Pentagon certifies doing so will not affect national security.

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.
© 2007-2024 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.