Trump, Republicans see major wins as Defense policy bill slashes liberal priorities

The Washington Times ^ | Updated: 9:26 p.m. on Sunday, December 15, 2019 | Lauren Meier

[E. Pluribus Unum]

President Trump is trumpeting a string of big victories in the massive compromise defense policy bill working its way through Congress, as liberal Democrats lament a host of priorities that have been cut from the legislation.

The final version of the National Defense Authorization Act gives the president a freer hand on Iran and Saudi Arabia and on ways to fund the southern border wall.

The Senate is expected to pass the annual defense policy bill this week, and the White House said Mr. Trump is enthusiastically waiting to sign it into law.

In a memo to fellow Republicans just after leading defense lawmakers announced they concluded their negotiations and settled on a final bill last week, Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman James M. Inhofe, Oklahoma Republican, offered a checklist of the “progressive agenda halted,” including the most significant losses for liberal Democrats.

“No restrictions on border/wall authorities, No restrictions on arms sales, No [Guantanamo prison] restrictions, No transgender policy changes … No limit on POTUS authority to pressure Iran,” the memo said.

Republicans also claimed victory for dropped language on repeal of the 2002 congressional authorization for the war on terror, sanctions on Russia and funding to clean PFAS — “forever chemicals” that have been found in tap water on military bases across the country and deemed unsafe.

Despite the celebratory tone, Mr. Trump and his Republican allies on the Hill did not walk away with many tangible wins on their biggest items. The real funding battles will likely be punted to congressional appropriators.

[Ingtar]

They need to take a closer look at the amendments, if they think this.