Policy & Strategy

In two votes Friday morning, the House backed the president’s powers to indefinitely detain terror suspects captured on U.S. soil.

The House got through 92 amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) Thursday and early Friday morning, but finally adjourned shortly after 1:30 a.m. and planned to return later Friday morning for votes and consideration of the last 50.

The House approved several amendments throughout the long day, including language that requires the sale of new F-16 aircraft to Taiwan, establishes a Sexual Assault Oversight Council in the Defense Department, requires studies of the health of service members and gives the president the authority to move satellites from the U.S. Munitions List in certain cases.

House members clashed at midnight over how to fix language allowing the permanent detention of terrorist suspects.  Read more...

The House late Thursday approved more than a dozen amendments to the 2013 National Defense Authorization act (NDAA) by voice vote, including language from Rep. Kay Granger (R-Texas) that would authorize the sale of 66 F-16 fighter aircraft to Taiwan.

Others approved would prohibit DOD contracts with anyone that has business operations located in a state sponsor of terrorism, require DOD to assess what military equipment shortages exist, and establish a Sexual Assault Oversight Council within DOD.

Members of the House on Thursday turned away a Democratic amendment to the 2013 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) requiring the United States only to use authorized funding for Afghanistan for the orderly withdrawal of U.S. troops from that country.

Democrats said they support the amendment because Americans want to leave Afghanistan after years of fighting there, and because the language from Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) was the only substantive vote on Afghanistan allowed by House Republicans.

The House late Thursday approved a wave of 14 amendments to the National Defense Authorization act (NDAA), including language that would require the Defense Department to report on the effects of multiple deployment of U.S. troops.

Member also approved language calling for a study of the incidence of breast cancer in the Armed Forces, setting up a foreign language service corps for the military, asking DOD to explore less expensive ways deployed service members can call their families, and requiring a study on energy efficiency of military installations.

The House approved its first slate of amendments to the 2013 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) early Thursday afternoon, including one that would allow the president to remove commercial satellites and components from the munitions list.

Under the language from Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.), the president could remove satellites and components from the munitions list if he submits a report saying this move would not pose an unacceptable risk to U.S. national security.

The additional funding is sure to have support in Congress, where increased funds for Israel are already being pledged for 2013.

The House on Thursday approved a rule governing floor consideration of the 2013 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), after Democrats criticized Republicans for preventing debate on an amendment to return U.S. troops from Afghanistan more quickly.

Members approved the rule in a 244-178 vote, setting up a long day and evening in which up to 142 amendments will be considered to the $643 billion authorization bill. Eight Democrats voted for the rule, and four Republicans voted against it.

Senate Republicans blocked an Iran sanctions package on Thursday saying the bill needs to include stronger language reiterating that the United States is prepared to use force to stop any nuclear weapons program.