More than two-thirds of the U.S. House of Representatives gave the nod to a defense policy bill, last week, boasting $886 billion in annual military spending. The National Defense Authorization Act sailed through with a 310-118 vote, securing bipartisan support and surpassing the two-thirds majority needed for passage. This green light propels the bill to the White House for President Joe Biden’s awaited signature.

Congressman Jim Baird opposed the bill, citing its diluted nature and the inclusion of a provision permitting the United States to engage in surveillance of its own citizens.

“Nobody in Congress is a bigger supporter of the military than I am,” said Rep. Baird. “I was proud to support the House version of the NDAA in July. Unfortunately, this legislation has been watered down to include provisions that allow the Federal government to violate our right to privacy and spy on American citizens. Moreover, I’m disappointed that this legislation failed to include important provisions that prevent our tax dollars from funding abortions and gender reassignment surgeries. It is unacceptable that the House passed an NDAA that fails to uphold our promises to our military personnel and the American people.”

Congressman Jim Banks cast his vote in favor of the bill, highlighting several favorable elements. Among them is a notable four-month extension granted to the FISA provision, a topic of extensive debate regarding surveillance on American citizens.

“The current FISA authorization has been the law for five years and five years ago President Trump signed this current version of FISA into law,” he said. “We are extending [the provision] for four months. FISA has been abused and it needs to be reformed, I fully support reforming it but if you allow it to lapse, then you stop the authorities that we have that allow us to track terrorists that are coming over our Southern Border or terrorists abroad who are planning attacks on the United States of America.

Separate from government spending bills, the NDAA covers a spectrum of measures, from a 5.2% troop pay raise to funding for ships, ammunition, and aircraft acquisitions. As an annual legislative mainstay, it serves as a versatile platform for Congress to address various initiatives and draws keen attention from major defense players like Lockheed Martin and RTX Corp.

This year’s 3,100-page bill, endorsing a record $886 billion, marks the 63rd consecutive year that Congress has ushered in an NDAA. Notably, the final version sidestepped contentious social issues, such as abortion access and treatment of transgender service members, present in the initially passed House version, averting potential derailment.