US House passes defense bill authorizing record spending; Senate debate next

WASHINGTON, July 14 (Reuters) – The U.S. House of Representatives passed its version of a sweeping bill setting policy for the Department of Defense on Friday, but the “must-pass” bill’s chances of becoming law were uncertain after Republicans added a series of culturally conservative amendments. The fiscal 2024 National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, which sets policy for the Pentagon and authorizes $886 billion in spending, was approved 219-210. The vote was largely along party lines, a departure from the typical bipartisan support for a bill that has passed every year since 1961. The House measure includes a pay raise…