For decades, Congress has considered the annual National Defense Authorization Act to be must-pass legislation. It authorizes pay increases for the troops and the procurement of new weapons and puts into law policy direction for the armed forces.

Historically, this bill – which in official Washington is usually referred to by its acronym, NDAA – has been among the most conservative to garner widespread, if not near-universal, support on both sides of Capitol Hill. Unfortunately, the Fiscal Year 2024 NDAA now being proposed for final passage by the House and Senate might better be described as the “Not Defending America Act.”

Under pressure from what is, effectively, the third Obama-Biden administration, and with the acquiescence of Senate Republicans who fit the description of the “controlled opposition” and a House leadership that is desperate for a legislative accomplishment, the NDAA will further advance the Marxist make-over of the U.S. military.

For example, language approved by the House of Representatives aimed at blocking such a “fundamental transformation” – including Critical Race Theory and other cultural Marxist indoctrination; basing promotions on “diversity” considerations, rather than merit; and radical social and sexual engineering – has largely been deleted. That will also ensure more Biden promotions of flag and general officers who embrace these policies.

Other problems include: A prohibition on the Pentagon funding of abortion-related expenses in accordance with existing law was also removed. And a very controversial re-authorization of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act – which has been abused to spy on American citizens, among other things – is also included without needed amendments.

Congress should not enact a National Defense Authorization Act that is actually a “Not Defending America Act.” Write your representatives in the House and Senate urging them to reject what is called the conference report on the NDAA, H.R. 2670.

For more information on H.R. 2670 see: https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/2670