'Culture War' Amendments Weigh Down US Military Bill, NJ Lawmaker Says

NEW JERSEY — A federal military spending bill that is loaded with “culture war” amendments passed a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives this week – but not with the support of Rep. Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey.

The House voted 217-199 in favor of the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) on Friday, largely along party lines.

Congress rolls out a new NDAA bill each year to establish defense priorities, make organizational shifts to military posture, and provide direction on how military funding can be spent. The legislation – which has been passed every year for decades – typically sees several changes before a final version is agreed upon by the Senate and House of Representatives. Since it is considered “must pass” legislation, the NDAA has become a popular venue for riders and amendments.

Sherrill, a Democrat who represents the 11th District of New Jersey and voted in favor of a recent markup of the bill, was among those who voted no on Friday, citing a “wish list of culture-war attacks on women, LGBTQ+, Black and Brown service members” championed by “MAGA extremists.”

The House’s version of this year’s massive $883 billion spending plan would increase military basic pay by 4.5 percent for service members, among other clauses. It would also increase pay for the junior-most service members – many of whom currently struggle with “food insecurity.”

However, it also contains clauses that would restrict abortion access, medical treatment for transgender troops and efforts to combat climate change. It also includes a provision to block the U.S. Defense Secretary from establishing a diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI)-related committee or group for Pentagon-funded schools.

It all adds up to an unacceptable package of legislation, according to Sherrill, a former U.S. Navy helicopter pilot who sits on the House Armed Services Committee and voted in favor of an earlier version of the bill.

“Less than a month ago, my colleagues on the House Armed Services Committee and I passed a bipartisan defense bill that uplifted servicemembers and their families and invested in our nation’s military, economy and security for the future,” Sherrill said Friday.

“We worked across the aisle to raise pay for service members, secure funding for Picatinny Arsenal, improve job opportunities for military spouses, expand access to child care, and make sure that servicewomen can get year-long supplies of contraceptives,” she continued.

“But, true to form, Speaker [Mike] Johnson gave Marjorie Taylor Greene and the MAGA extremists an entire wish list of culture-war attacks on women, LGTBQ+, Black, and Brown service members,” Sherrill said.

“I remain hopeful – for the sake of our service members and military families – that we can work towards a better national defense bill through a House-Senate conference committee,” the congresswoman added.

The 11th District includes the following municipalities:

• Essex County – Belleville, Bloomfield, Cedar Grove, Fairfield, Glen Ridge, Livingston, Maplewood, Millburn, Montclair (part), North Caldwell, Nutley, Roseland, South Orange, West Caldwell
• Morris County – Boonton, Boonton Township, Butler, Chatham, Chatham Township, Denville, Dover, East Hanover, Florham Park, Hanover, Harding, Jefferson, Kinnelon, Lincoln Park, Madison, Mendham Twp (part), Montville, Morris Plains, Morris Township, Morristown Town, Mountain Lakes, Parsippany-Troy Hills, Pequannock, Randolph, Riverdale, Rockaway, Rockaway Township, Victory Gardens
• Passaic County – Little Falls, Totowa, Wayne (part), Woodland Park

Sherill wasn’t the only Congress member from New Jersey that rejected the current version of the NDAA.

Rep. Andy Kim (NJ-3), who is running for U.S. Senate as a Democrat this year, also blamed Republicans for his “no” vote.

“Our servicemembers deserve better than using this important bill to play political games,” Kim said. “I will work to make sure the final bill focuses on strengthening our defense and standing up for military families, not scoring political points and pushing an extremist agenda.”

On the opposite side of the political aisle, Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (NJ-7) said he voted yes on the NDAA because it will “support our servicemember’s quality of life” and bolster the nation’s military.

“This bipartisan legislation continues to reinvigorate our nation’s defense industrial base, support our allies and partners abroad, and most of all, the American warfighter,” Kean said. “The legislation contains increases to the basic allowance for housing, a 19.5% pay raise for junior enlisted personnel, improvements to military housing, and support initiatives for military families.”

A state-by-state analysis of U.S. Department of Defense spending done in 2020 showed that it spent about $593.9 billion on contracts and payroll alone. Roughly $8.4 billion of that was spent in New Jersey – about $948 per person.

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