Will the Defense Bill Pass? Top House Armed Services Democrat Voices Concerns

Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.) made a statement on Wednesday indicating that he believes the annual defense bill is “more likely than not” to fail in passing.

Representative Adam Smith had expressed concerns about “extreme right-wing amendments” attached to the defense bill. (Photo: The Hill)

Will the Defense Bill Pass?

Representative Adam Smith, who holds the position of the leading Democrat on the House Committee on Armed Services, expressed his criticism towards far-right Republicans in a recent interview with CNN’s Manu Raju.

According to a published article, he denounced their efforts to include clauses in the National Defense Authorization Act that aim to remove funding from the military’s diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.

In a previous interview with The Washington Post on Monday, Smith had expressed concerns about “extreme right-wing amendments” attached to the defense bill.

During his conversation with CNN, Smith emphasized the motivations of a limited number of individuals, articulating, “This small group is not merely expressing their desire to vote on matters they hold dear. Their stance goes further, indicating that if their demands are not met, they are willing to dismantle the entire structure.”

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Smith Voted Defense Bill

Despite his current stance, Smith had initially voted for the defense bill in committee at the end of June after an extensive debate between Democrats and Republicans regarding cultural issues.

During that time, he criticized his colleague, Representative Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), for advocating the inclusion of a “parental rights” provision in the defense bill, specifically pertaining to service members who enroll their children in military-affiliated schools.

Voicing his apprehensions, Smith articulated, “The sponsor of the amendment left no room for doubt, as her intentions were clearly focused on targeting transgender education and sex education. This amendment aligns with a narrow conservative agenda, seeking to grant parents greater authority in shaping the curriculum within schools.”

The fate of the defense bill remains uncertain, as the ongoing debates and opposing views within Congress present significant challenges to its passage.

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