House passes $884 billion defense spending bill, setting up Senate fight

The House of Representatives on Wednesday approach an $884 billion defense spending package that included contentious social provisions barring the military healthcare provider from covering transgender treatments for the children of servicemembers.

The National Defense Authorization Act passed with 281 yeas and 140 nays, according to Breaking Defense. 124 Democrats and 16 Republicans opposed the bill.

The NDAA now heads to the Senate, where it is expected to face a close vote. 

Ahead of the bill's passage, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries indicated that the lower chamber's party leadership would not pressure its members of Congress to back the bill.

“We’re not whipping on the National Defense Authorization Act. It’s a member-to-member, case-by-case analysis in terms of people making decisions as to what is the right thing to do,” Jeffries said this week.