Senate sends Biden big defense bill, plans new war memorial

WASHINGTON – Congress sent President Joe Biden a $768.2 cardinal defence measure connected Wednesday that makes landmark changes to the mode the subject handles intersexual assaults, keeps women retired of the draught and lays the groundwork for a caller warfare memorial connected the National Mall.

The yearly bill, which has passed some the House and Senate each twelvemonth for decades without fail, nevertheless was delayed successful the Senate by assorted disputes, including a abstracted effort to halt goods produced by forced Uyghur labour successful China from entering the U.S. That measurement besides is present headed toward last support and Biden’s desk.

The evenly divided Senate approved the defence measure Wednesday connected a robust 88-11 vote.

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The authorities includes a 2.7% wage rise for some subject servicemembers and the civilian Defense Department workforce, and authorizes $75.3 cardinal for the cognition of the Armed Forces Retirement Home. It besides authorizes an $9.9 cardinal for defence needs extracurricular the bill's accepted jurisdiction, bringing the wide terms tag to $777 billion.

The caller warfare memorial would grant those who served successful the Global War connected Terrorism, launched successful effect to the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks connected the U.S.

The Democratic president and ranking Republican connected the Senate Armed Services Committee, Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island and Sen. James Inhofe of Oklahoma, issued a associated connection praising passage, a uncommon infinitesimal of comity successful the divided Congress.

“This measure sends a wide connection to our allies — that the United States remains a reliable, credible spouse — and to our adversaries — that the U.S. subject is prepared and afloat capable to support our interests astir the world,” Inhofe said.

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Those senators voting against the measure Wednesday included six Democrats, 3 Republicans and 1 independent.

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