WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — The year for lawmakers is coming to a close and there is still much work to do, including keeping government open. This deadline ends next Friday.
There is still no clear plan from lawmakers to fund the government, but Republicans have released their plan to fund the military.
House Republicans are pushing a military funding bill known as the National Defense Authorization Act.
“This includes decisive victories for our troops and for our country,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.).
The bill provides a 14.5% pay boost for military personnel and better housing for military families.
“While we increased these other accounts, we reduced bloated Pentagon spending by $31 billion,” Johnson said.
What House Speaker Mike Johnson says will not be included in the bill are programs that include DEI.
It also prevents military health insurance from covering transgender surgeries for minors.
New Mexico Democrat Teresa Leger Fernandez opposed the cuts.
“The NDAA attacks a family member’s right to choose the health care they need for their children,” said Leger Fernandez.
Another job of Congress is to keep the doors of government open.
The country is likely to run out of money on December 20th.
Currently, Congress is leaning toward a short-term spending deal.
“A CR continues to spend at this level; it’s better than being higher,” said Representative Chip Roy (Republican of Texas).
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer says he wants disaster relief included in the funding bill.
“We on the Democratic side have been persistent in trying to get as many dollars as possible to help both blue and red states affected by the disaster,” Schumer said.
Members on both sides of the aisle expect the government to remain open past the Dec. 20 shutdown deadline. Negotiations about how this will be achieved are still ongoing.
