Biden signs defense bill despite objections to ban on transgender health care for military children

President Joe Biden took a significant step on Monday by signing a defense bill into law that authorizes substantial pay raises for junior enlisted service members. This legislation also aims to counter China’s growing power and boosts overall military spending to a whopping $895 billion. Despite his approval of most of the bill’s provisions, Biden expressed strong objections to language that strips coverage of transgender medical treatments for children in military families.

In a statement, President Biden made it clear that his administration strongly opposes the provision targeting a group based on gender identity. He believes that it interferes with parents’ roles in determining the best care for their children and undermines the military’s ability to recruit and retain talent. Biden emphasized that no service member should have to choose between their family’s health care access and their duty to serve the nation.

The Senate passed the bill last week by a vote of 85-14 before forwarding it to President Biden for his signature. In the House, a majority of Democrats initially opposed the bill due to the provision banning transgender medical care for children. However, the legislation ultimately passed by a vote of 281-140 after House Speaker Mike Johnson insisted on adding the controversial language.

In addition to his objections regarding transgender medical treatments, President Biden also raised concerns about other provisions in the bill. He specifically urged Congress to lift restrictions on using funds earmarked for transferring detainees held at Guantanamo Bay to certain foreign countries and into the United States.

The defense authorization bill not only provides substantial pay raises for military personnel but also directs resources towards a more confrontational approach to China. This includes establishing a fund that could be used to send military resources to Taiwan, similar to the U.S.’s support for Ukraine. The legislation also prioritizes investments in new military technologies such as artificial intelligence and strengthens U.S. ammunition production.

Furthermore, the bill extends existing prohibitions on the military purchasing Chinese products, ranging from garlic in military commissaries to drone technology. These measures reflect the ongoing efforts to reduce reliance on Chinese goods within the defense sector and safeguard national security interests.

While the defense bill has been signed into law, it still requires a corresponding spending package to fully implement the allocated resources. The legislation’s comprehensive approach to military policy, pay raises, and countering China’s influence underscores the government’s commitment to strengthening national defense capabilities in an increasingly complex global security landscape.