House passes defense bill rescinding military's COVID vaccine mandate

Defense Department spokesperson John Kirby previously said that Biden is opposed to dropping the vaccine mandate.
SGT Derrick Ngbome of the Illinois Army National Guard prepares a COVID-19 vaccine at a mass vaccination center established at the Tinley Park Convention Center on January 26, 2021 in Tinley Park, Illinois.
By Madeleine Hubbard

The House on Thursday passed a $858 billion Defense spending bill that include an end to the  military's COVID-19 vaccine mandate. 

The annual National Defense Authorization Act passed in the Democrat-control chamber by a 350-80 vote.

Lawmakers also approved a 4.6% raise for military service members in for fiscal 2023, CNN reported.

The measure now heads to the Senate.

Defense Department spokesperson John Kirby said this week that President Biden is opposed to dropping the vaccine mandate.