Defense

The Senate passed an amendment Thursday night to the defense bill that would express Senate support for the Israeli Iron Dome defensive weapon system.

Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) introduced amendment 3220, which he said recognizes the success of Israel’s Iron Dome missile shield in the wake of recent rocket attacks.

The Senate is trying to complete a list of amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act Friday.

On Friday, Sens. Carl Levin (D-Mich.) and John McCain (R-Ariz.), who are managing the amendment process on the floor, called on their colleagues to complete a finite list of amendments that need to be considered.

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) vowed Friday to fight for abortion rights and healthcare coverage for military service women if the Senate defense bill reaches a conference committee with the House.

Shaheen said the National Defense Authorization Act, S. 3254, includes language allowing reproductive healthcare for female service members.

Sen. Menendez said the tightening was needed because Iran appears to be increasing its work on a nuclear weapon

Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) says his amendment protects the Second Amendment rights of veterans.

The Department of Defense would be prevented from using funds to move suspected terrorists from Gitmo facilities to U.S. prisons. 

Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) forced a roll-call vote on an amendment to the defense bill, despite wide support for the measure.

An amendment expanding healthcare coverage for military family members with disabilities passed in the Senate on a vote of 66-29 Thursday. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) introduced Amendment 3058, which requires the military healthcare provider, TRICARE, to cover therapies for military family members with disabilities, such as autism.

The Feinstein amendment to the defense authorization bill is currently written to prevent indefinite military detention for U.S. citizens.

The Senate condoned President Obama’s timeline for withdrawal of forces in Afghanistan by passing an amendment to the defense bill Thursday.

The amendment 3096, introduced by Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), states the support of the Senate that U.S. combat troops are withdrawn from Afghanistan by Dec. 31, 2014.

The Senate passed an amendment to the defense bill Thursday that would strike the prohibition on biofuel refinery construction.

The amendment allows the Department of Defense to invest in refineries for “advanced” biofuels through a joint Agriculture, Energy and Navy Departments agreement.