Democratic and Republican leaders of the House and Senate Armed Services committees on Thursday asked fellow lawmakers to back the fiscal 2024 National Defense Authorization Act.

They said passing the NDAA fulfills Congress’ responsibility of providing for the national defense.

“Our nation faces unprecedented threats from China, Iran, Russia and North Korea,” the lawmakers said in a statement. “It is vital that we act now to protect our national security.”

The message came from Rep. Mike Rogers, Alabama Republican and chairman of the House Armed Services Committee;  Washington Rep. Adam Smith, ranking Democrat on the committee; Sen. Jack Reed, Rhode Island Democrat and chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee; and Mississippi Sen. Roger Wicker, ranking Republican on the committee.
 
The compromise $886 billion defense bill, however, doesn’t include a GOP-backed measure that would have blocked the Defense Department’s plan to fund travel expenses for service members to get abortions in other states. The exclusion has drawn the ire of some GOP members of Congress.

“Speaker (of the House) Mike Johnson worked with (Senate Majority Leader) Chuck Schumer to cut a deal that removes all abortion and trans surgery prohibitions we passed under (former) Speaker McCarthy,” Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, Georgia Republican, wrote on X.

“This was a total sellout of conservative principles and a huge win for Democrats. Congratulations to my colleagues on the other side of the aisle; you should all be excited to vote for this,” she added.

The leaders of both congressional defense committees said the report strengthens the nation’s security and supports service members.

“We urge Congress to pass the NDAA quickly and President Biden to sign it when it reaches his desk,” they said.

• Mike Glenn can be reached at mglenn@washingtontimes.com.