White House fires back at GOP over defense spending bill ‘anti-woke’ and troop reinstatement items

The White House is firing back at Republicans over a number of provisions in the annual defense spending bill that would reverse the administration’s “awakened” priorities and push for the reinstatement of more than 8,000 military personnel discharged for refusing the COVID vaccine.

In a policy statement released Monday, the White House said it looks forward to working with Congress to pass the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year (FY) 2024, but has some “concerns” that need to be addressed. be addressed for the last pass. The House Rules Committee will consider the bill this week, then take the legislation to the floor for a full vote before it goes to the Senate.

Rep. Jim Banks, who is chairman and chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel, addressed the White House’s specific complaints about a series of amendments he spearheaded — and dropped from committee — that “would to servicemen who were “unjustly discharged” by requiring the Pentagon to set up a reassignment process and ensure no negative reprisals were taken.

“This is not about science or public health, the White House’s opposition to the re-enlistment of military personnel who are willing and able to serve our country is nothing more than an attempt to punish religious people and conservatives.” Banks, R-Ind., told DailyMail.com in an exclusive statement.

Rep. Jim Banks, who chairs the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel, disagreed with the White House’s specific complaints about a series of amendments he spearheaded

“It’s embarrassing and dangerous at a time of record low recruitment,” he added.

More than 8,000 military personnel – many seeking religious exemptions – were fired for refusing to comply with the Pentagon’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate issued in August 2021. members who have been fired for not getting the shot nor providing any other compensation.

However, the government made it clear this week that it opposes Banks’ protection of discontinued troops included in the FY 2024 NDAA.

Specifically the White House rejected Republican-led push to make it easier for the Pentagon to rehire discharged military personnel and to establish a procedure to change the discharge status of unvaccinated troops – to pave the way for a quick recovery.

The Banks’ office says their amendments require the Secretary of Defense to prioritize vaccine resisters’ request to have their discharge status changed so that the wait time will be significantly reduced.

“The proposed language would prevent the secretary from taking appropriate action in the future if a new strain of COVID-19 were to require revaccination for health protection,” the White House said in response, adding that it is also a would have a negative budgetary impact. .’

The administration explained that the changes would erroneously place review of petitions for unvaccinated discharged troops ahead of consideration of military personnel with issues such as “military sexual trauma, PTSD related to military service, and matters related to pay and benefits.” .

The White House also opposed the Republican-backed provision that would prevent unvaccinated students at military service academies from being forced to pay back the cost of their tuition.

It would set a “dangerous precedent” that disobeying lawful orders is an “option” for service members, the memo said, “that will be detrimental to good order and discipline, as well as unit cohesion.”

Current and former troops have also expressed concern to DailyMail.com, saying the Republican-led changes to the FY 2024 NDAA are not strong enough to reverse the “severe harassment” they have endured over the past two years to make.

Some have expressed concern about the US Coast Guard is not considered a “covered armed force” and would not receive the protections described in the Banks amendments.

However, a spokesman for Banks’ office said the USCG will be included in the final version of the bill through a floor amendment after it is approved by the House Rules Committee this week.

In addition, the White House outlined a number of issues it has with Republican pressure to reverse “woke” diversity, equality, and inclusion (DEI) priorities in the military.

It would set a “dangerous precedent” for disobeying lawful orders to be an “option” for military personnel, the White House memo said.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin issued a sweeping COVID vaccine mandate in August 2021

“The administration strongly opposes sweeping efforts by the House… to end the Department’s longstanding DEIA efforts and related initiatives to promote a cohesive and inclusive military,” the memo states.

“We rely on diverse perspectives, experiences and skills to remain a global leader, deter war and keep our nation safe,” the White House continued, calling it a “strategic advantage” for the United States.

The government suggested that without a diverse force, the military will suffer from a negative work environment.

Banks’ amendment prohibits the Pentagon from “taking race and gender into account in their recruiting processes” and also prohibits the use of racial quotas.

It also sets a pay cap for Pentagon officials working on DEI issues.

“The indefensible race and gender-based treatment of military personnel by the Biden DoD makes our military weaker and our nation less secure,” Banks said of the provisions to counter the Biden administration’s DEI push.

In addition, Republicans have accused the administration of pushing shaky policies at the expense of military “readiness.”

William Bee, a former Marine who has served four times in Afghanistan, previously told DailyMail.com that the only changes in the military should be to “increase lethality.”

“Everything else is bullshit,” Bee said in response to the military’s rise.