Washington: In a strong bipartisan vote, American lawmakers on July 21 passed their US$740.5 billion plan for the annual defence authorization bill, including provisions for a hefty military pay raise next year, new restrictions on the president’s war powers and requirements that the Defense Department rename bases honouring Confederate leaders.
The last item prompted another veto threat from President Donald Trump earlier in the day, echoing his comments in recent weeks that renaming the bases would dishonour troops who served at those locations. Democratic lawmakers have disagreed, saying the continued tributes to the Confederacy are offensive to minorities and Americans as a whole.
The White House threat appeared to have little effect on House Republicans, as the measure passed with a veto-proof majority, 295-125. The tally saw Democrats split 187-43 and Republicans split 108-81.
The bill’s passage came after two days of debate over additional budget and policy priorities for the department, including a push from progressives to reduce defence spending by 10 per cent.
The US$740.5 billion top line would bring Defense Department spending in line with Senate and White House plans. The separate drafts of the defense budget outline also call for a three per cent pay raise for troops next year and an increase in service end strengths next year.
Trump’s main concern, however, appears to be the issue of the Confederate base names, which include Fort Bragg in North Carolina, Fort Hood in Texas and Fort Benning in Georgia.
