House Passes 2021 NDAA in a 295-125 Vote

On Tuesday, the House of Representatives passed the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) 295-125. The vote saw twice as many Republicans opposed (108-81) as Democrats (187-43). Libertarian Justin Amash (L-MI) also voted against the bill.

A last minute flurry of amendments preceded the vote. On Monday night, an amendment was passed blocking spending on a nuclear weapons test. An amendment on a plan to withdraw from Afghanistan failed, as did an amendment aiming to cut military spending by 10%.

President Trump has threatened to veto the NDAA over the clause to rename bases with Confederate names. Even with surprisingly robust opposition, the House version remains veto-proof, and now moves on to the Senate and would then need to be reconciled before going to Trump.

The Senate version has an alternative amendment on the nuclear weapons test, adding $10 million to arrange to conduct such a test, something President Trump is reportedly keen to do.

It’s not clear if the Senate will add an amendment to rename the bases. Both of Oregon’s Senators have promised to add an amendment that would prohibit sending federal law enforcement into American cities without authorization.