Abortion and voting in Ukraine jeopardize defense bill

TO essential bill that establishes the levels and policy of military spending faces an uncertain new path after the House voted Thursday to add controversial language on abortion and preserve aid for Ukraine.

Why it matters: The “poisoned” amendments, as one member described them, mean Democrats will likely vote en masse against the National Defense Authorization Act. That will require nearly all House Republicans to vote “yes” to save the historically bipartisan bill.

Driving the news: The House voted 221-213 to adopt Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-Texas)’s amendment to the NDAA blocking a Biden administration policy that reimburses service members for abortion-related expenses.

• Reps. John Duarte (R-Calif.) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) voted against the measure, while Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) voted in favor.
• Amendments restricting transgender care for service members and diversity, equity and inclusion programs at the Pentagon were also passed.

What they are saying: “I haven’t talked to everyone, but I think all (or) almost all of my colleagues will say no,” said Rep. Pat Ryan (DN.Y.), saying of the abortion amendment: “This was the poison pill.” .”

• Another veteran moderate, Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.), said he’s “not going to bail out the Republicans” by voting for the bill.
• Two House Democrats, speaking on condition of anonymity, said it is possible that all Democrats, with the possible exception of Cuellar, will vote no.

Getting closer: The House also rejected a series of right-wing amendments to cut aid to Ukraine by large bipartisan majorities.

• Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s (R-Ga.) amendment to remove $300 million in aid to Ukraine from the bill was defeated 89-358.
• Another from Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) who blocked all US security assistance to Ukraine fell 70-358, though the vote left on record nearly a third of the Republican conference opposing aid to Ukraine. Ukraine.

The state of play: That leaves House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in perhaps the worst possible position as he tries to corral nearly his entire caucus into backing a bill that still contains millions for a war effort that many right-wingers denigrate. .

• Greene, a McCarthy ally, told reporters she’s a no on the bill with Ukraine’s help included, calling it her “red line.”
• A Republican lawmaker said he’s concerned that conservatives “still won’t vote to pass even though they got their amendment votes.”
• “I think you can make a case that (the moderates) took a chance” by voting for the right-wing amendments, another Republican said, though he acknowledged that it might be a hard sell.

Yes, but: Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas), a leading member of the right-wing Freedom Caucus, said he is “strongly in favor of the direction the bill is headed.”

The bottom line: “I don’t think they have a strategy,” Crow said of the House Republicans. “I think it’s a mess.”