The Battle of Woke comes to the USF

Republicans want this in next year’s defense budget: a ban on recall shows, a halt to abortion spending, and an opening for soldiers who refuse vaccines.

These days, the defense budget for next year will be approved in Washington. The National Defense Authorization Act makes it clear what should be prioritized for the world’s largest military power.

There are $886 billion in pot. The money goes into precision missiles, warships, and artificial intelligence. In addition to a 5.2 percent pay increase for everyone who works in the military.

But what is new this year is that the Republicans have also put forward a number of controversial proposals, which directly touch on the so-called culture war in the United States. Washington Post.

Offer to withdraw ban and restore

Normally, the US defense budget has been largely sheltered from polarizing proposals. Both sides have largely agreed to prioritize the military. The army was given the opportunity to largely govern itself.

The Republican proposal this year stands out in some way. Among other things, they will:

• Prohibition of drag shows in the armed forces.
• Remove LGBT rights and cut off health care services for transgender people.
• Stop teaching critical race theory. It’s about how racism isn’t just about the actions of individuals, it can be structural as well.
• It does not cover expenses related to abortion. For example, if an employee has to travel to another country to have an abortion. And it is necessary in several states, after the Supreme Court struck down the constitutional right to abortion last year.
• Open to bring back soldiers who refused to take the Corona vaccine and were discharged as a result.

The White House believes the latter sets a “dangerous precedent” and opens the door for soldiers not having to follow orders.

Many of the proposals include reversing changes Democrats have received over the past few years, aimed at promoting diversity and inclusion in the armed forces.

According to the Republican Party, it is about “rolling back from the radical vigilante ideology that is being forced upon” the men and women of the military.

Numerous sources in the political environment told The Washington Post that the inclusion of such measures in the defense budget may hinder debate and confuse the US defense strategy for the coming year.

may change

On Friday, the budget, including the above proposals, passed the House of Representatives by a slim majority.

Early next week, the Senate will consider its version of the bill. There the result is expected to be different. This is because the Republicans have a majority in the House of Representatives, while the Democrats control the Senate.

But even if the Senate shoots down the more controversial proposals, it remains uncertain what the outcome of subsequent debates between the House and Senate will be, he writes. Washington Post Friday.

Because there is only one budget that will eventually be sent to the president for final approval.

The Pentagon wants to stay out

In a military environment, people try to stay out of battle. A Defense Department employee told The Washington Post that this year’s budget breaks with a tradition of leaving such questions to the defense itself.

For many years, the US military has practiced “don’t ask, don’t tell.” A law that makes it illegal to discriminate against employees based on their sexual orientation. It also made it impossible for gays, lesbians, and bisexuals to be open about their sexual orientation if they wanted to be part of the military.

New York times He writes that the case may put some Republican politicians in a difficult position. If they vote for the controversial proposals, it could affect their chances of being re-elected. If they vote against, they can be considered disloyal to their party.