Defense Bill

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Senate Passes Defense Bill Canceling Vaccine Mandate

Legislation includes increase in military aid to Ukraine, Taiwan

(Newser) - The Senate sent President Biden the defense bill on Thursday on an 83-11 vote, authorizing $858 billion in spending that might not all happen because of the ongoing tussle over funding the government. The budget includes more money for military aid to Ukraine and Taiwan, the Washington Post reports, as...

Senate OKs Bill With $63B for Ongoing Wars

Defense hawks, Western state Republicans carry the day

(Newser) - Congress today sent President Obama a massive defense policy bill that endorses his stepped-up military campaign of air strikes and training of Iraqis and moderate Syrian rebels in the war against Islamic State militants. The Senate overwhelmingly approved the bill that authorizes funds for basic military operations, including construction of...

Abortion Rights Championed in Defense Bill

Insurance would cover troop abortions in cases of rape, incest in amendment

(Newser) - Abortion rights advocates suddenly seem to have a chance to win a battle—but, surprisingly, it's part of the Defense bill debate. Last month New Hampshire Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen quietly added an amendment to the massive annual Department of Defense bill that would permit military health insurance to...

Obama Signs Defense Bill Despite 'Reservations'

President questions provisions about treatment of suspected terrorists

(Newser) - President Barack Obama signed a wide-ranging defense bill into law today despite having "serious reservations" about provisions that regulate the detention, interrogation and prosecution of suspected terrorists. The bill also applies penalties against Iran's central bank in an effort to hamper Tehran's ability to fund its nuclear...

Obama Throws Away Civil Liberties With Defense Bill

President to sign bill allowing indefinite detention of Americans

(Newser) - President Obama is taking a lot of heat today for dropping his threat to veto a controversial defense bill that could allow the military to capture and indefinitely detain American citizens on US soil. In a fiery editorial, the New York Times today called it "a complete political cave-in,...

Senate Passes Controversial $662B Defense Bill

Would allow US citizens suspected of terrorism to be held without trial

(Newser) - The Senate last night overwhelmingly passed a massive $662 billion defense bill that calls for crippling sanctions against Iran, requires the military to hold suspected terrorists—even those busted on US soil—and would allow detention of American citizens suspected of terrorism indefinitely without trial. The White House has threatened...

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