An overburdened defense bill

The persistent animosity of House progressives over the passing of a controversial border bill threatens to defeat a large-scale defense policy bill, which generally adopts large bipartite majorities.

Progressives are opposed to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), an amount of $ 733 billion, which affects everything from the type of equipment that the Pentagon can buy to a salary increase for the military, to the establishment of a new military service.

Co-Chair of the Progressive Caucus Pramila JayapalPramila JayapalHealth care care at night: Private insurance Nixing divides the candidates of the program "Medicare for all" | Warren asks former FDA chief to leave Pfizer's board of directors | Facebook Targets False Medical Expense Requests Private Insurance Nixing Divides Candidates to "Medicare for All" Program Hillicon Valley: Facebook Facility Evacuated after Sarin Alert | Warren and Jayapal question FCC on the influence of the industry | 2020 Dems support election security | Border patrol to investigate Facebook group that publishes racist and sexist messages MORE (D-Wash.) Tuesday said the bill "must get better".

The costly bill may be difficult to sell for some Liberals, whatever the circumstances, but immigration pressures have worsened the situation.

Progressives return to Washington unhappy with the President Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiGraham is ready to investigate the Acosta-Epstein plea deal. Do not give up on Tom Steyer: he is the most media candidate, Klobuchar says that Mr. Acosta should withdraw from the Epstein PLUS affair(D-Calif.) Decided last month to pass a $ 4.6 billion bill on border assistance that had already been passed by the Senate.

The President added even more force by rejecting critics in a high-profile interview with New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd, composed of four liberal darlings who call themselves "The Squad": Representatives. Alexandria Ocasio-CortezAlexandria Ocasio-Cortez Two Republicans suing Ocasio-Cortez for Twitter blocking Night Defense: drama on 3B House's defense bill | Democratic tensions threaten to steal legislation | The White House threatens veto | US-Taliban Talks Conclude on "Roadmap for Peace": Defense Bill Protests Strong on Defense (D-N.Y.), Ilhan OmarIlhan OmarPelosi picks up on progressives after gradual fundraiser following Pelosi's critics on Ocasio-Cortez Ocasio-Cortez rejects accusations that she has insulted Pelosi MORE (D-Min.) Rashida TlaibRashida Harbi TlaibPelosi catches fire on progressives after gradual fundraiser following Pelosi's critics on Ocasio-Cortez Ocasio-Cortez rejects accusations that she insulted Pelosi MORE (D-Mich.) And Ayanna PressleyAyanna PressleyPelosi picks on progressives after gradual fundraiser following Pelosi's critics on Ocasio-Cortez Ocasio-Cortez rejects accusations that she has insulted Pelosi PLUS (D-Mass.).

Democrats are now being asked to support the defense bill. A senior Democrat-dependent problem maker described the problem as follows: "The NDAA is turning into a storm.

As Republicans threatened to suspend GOP votes in the White House's vetoed Tuesday night bill, the Democratic caucus is concerned that leaders will fall short of the 218 votes needed to pass the bill. of the Pentagon. If all Republicans voted against the bill, 18 "no" democratic votes could make it sink.

Wednesday's Democratic Caucus meeting, the first since the July 4th holiday, could be controversial.

"I'm sure we're going to hate the price tag. The question is what other victories could we be able to achieve, "said Rep. Jared HuffmanJared William HuffmanO – Rourke defends his "war tax" in the face of criticism Dems repeals the rule of law prohibiting presidential indictments The Hill & # 39; s Morning Report – Democrats question: Nadler can- he handle the Trump investigation? MORE (D-Calif.), A progressive caucus member who wants to insert language to block military action in Iran and Yemen. "I did not vote for an NDAA in the years I was in Congress. … I'm going to take a look and I'm considering it.

The top figure of $ 733 billion is "really too high," added the representative. Jan SchakowskyJanice (Jan) Danoff Schakowsky: A high-ranking Democrat congratulates Trump's plan, which requires drug manufacturers to quote prices in television ads. The Morning & # 39; s Morning – Warren reinforces the status of runner in the first debate on the dem. (D-Ill.), Vice-Chair of the Progressive Caucus. "I am undecided for the moment."

The management aids minimized any concerns about the fate of the bill. In a brief interview, Pelosi told The Hill that everything was fine.

The assistants of the Armed Forces Committee of the House of Representatives attended separate meetings of the Democratic Chiefs of Staff and Legislative Directors, urging them to ensure that their bosses support the bill, according to a source at meetings. The committee's advisers also asked for the cell phone numbers of the legislators in order to vote the votes this week.

"Every time they're here, it's a bad sign. These are all signs of nervousness, "said the source.

A committee assistant confirmed that the staff had attended the meetings, but rejected the idea that it was a sign of nervousness. On the contrary, the assistant stated that it was an opportunity to answer group questions.

Chairman of the Armed Services Commission Adam SmithThe choice of David (Adam) Adam SmithTrump for the Pentagon leader wins his allies at Capitol Hill The duo of bipartite deputies unveils an amendment to block the strike in Iran without congressional approval. The GOP proposes to block the ban on using Defense funds for the Boundary Wall PLUS (D-Wash.), Said the collaborator, has met with various factions of the Democratic caucus, including the Progressive Caucus and the Blue Dog Coalition, to strengthen their support.

The NADA niche is the latest in a series of skirmishes between Democratic leaders and progressive infantry brands, particularly on the defense budget. Leaders had to withdraw a budget resolution from a substantive vote earlier this year against progressive opposition to the defense, and to pass the defense credits bill, associate it to the bill of expenditure for work, health, human services and education.

More recently, Democrats have been left behind after Pelosi decided to move the $ 4.6 billion bill on border assistance. The progressives wanted a bill with stricter rules on the care of migrants, but the moderates in the House supported the Senate version, condemning a more progressive bill.

The draft law on borders was adopted even if 95 Democrats beat Pelosi and voted "no"; only seven Republicans voted "no"

Pelosi's remarks to Dowd led to a public fight against Ocasio-Cortez and his allies.

"All these people have their audience and their Twitter universe," Pelosi told Dowd. "But they did not have followers. They are four people and that's how many votes they got. "

Ocasio-Cortez retorted on Twitter, "this" public any "is called public sentiment".

The NDAA has been a law for almost 60 years and is considered a must-have bill because of the powers it gives to the armed forces. Last month, it was adopted by the Armed Forces Committee of the House at a majority vote open to parties, with only representatives of the People's Party. Elise StefanikElise Marie Stefanik and Scott Scott direct their efforts to recruit minority conservative candidates Klobuchar and Warner introduce a bill to limit foreign participation in US political announcements Night Defense: Pompeo blames Iran for the tanker attacks | House committee approves defense bill 3B | Trump shares his designs for Air Force One red, white and blue PLUS (N.Y.) and Don Bacon (Neb.) Alongside the Democrats.

Republicans argue that the defense budget should rise to $ 750 billion, citing testimonials from defense officials on the need for an annual budget growth of 3 to 5 percent in order to re-establish the economy. 39, readiness and compete with Russia and China.

"Unfortunately, the partisan provisions of this bill have deprived both parties of support," said the Supreme Republican on the Armed Forces Committee, Rep. Mac ThornberryWilliam (Mac) McClellan Thornberry US Officials Express Optimistic Negotiations with Iran A GOP Representative: "This Story Is not Finished" If Iran Continues to Behave Aggressively "and" provocative "Night Defense: Pompeo blames Iran for tanker attacks | House committee approves defense bill 3B | Trump shares his designs for Air Force One red, white and blue PLUS (Texas), said Tuesday in a statement. "Thanks to this bill, House Democrats force our troops to pay the price of their political differences with the President."

In addition to the dollar figure, the Republicans strongly oppose provisions that would prevent the Pentagon from deploying a low-yielding nuclear warhead, restricting the president's ability to use Pentagon funds for building a wall. border and would ease the possibility of transferring detainees from Guantanamo Bay Detention Center.

A member of the Republican committee did not explicitly state that the minority will vote against the bill this week, but said the concerns of committee members during the committee's markup remain. Republicans will consider, among other things, the amendments that Democrats allow to get a vote and how the debate takes place when deciding how to vote, said the assistant.

The aide said the Republicans would not take any responsibility if the bill failed, because "it is the work of the majority to form a coalition that can pass a bill in the House".

Democrats should introduce several amendments proposing progressive priorities to win their votes, including amendments to reverse President TrumpDonald John Trump Graham is ready to investigate the Advocacy Agreement between Acosta and Epstein Continue progress with Mexico on migration The government will license exploitation with Huawei PLUSThe transgender military ban and block military action against Iran.

The progressives are also considering an amendment to repeal the 2001 war authorization, which Democrats fear Trump is using to justify military action against Iran. Efforts to adopt the amendments have taken a new urgency since Trump acknowledged being just minutes from the launch of a military strike against Iran last month.

The amendment concerning Iran is sponsored by the representative. Ro KhannaRohit (Ro) KhannaRepetition of the battle for border assistance expected with a draft law on Homeland Security Democrats seek answers on a possible HHS / Gilead Defense Night Defense: Trump claims that he does not need an exit strategy with Iran | McConnell is open to vote on the authorization of war in Iran | Senate Committee Advances Bill to Limit the Sale of Emergency Weapons MORE (D-Calif.), The third progressive caucus leader to have expressed his concern in the past with a $ 733 billion defense budget. But Khanna has supported NDAA in the Armed Forces Committee and urges progressives to do the same on the ground, making it the best opportunity to stand up to Trump against Iran. Khanna expects his Iranian amendment to be adopted.

"It will be difficult for MPs to vote against a bill that is the main check on the president's ability to go to war in Iran," Khanna told The Hill.

Juliegrace Brufke has contributed.