The U.S. House of Representatives on Dec. 8 passed a defense funding bill that would force the termination of the military’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate if it is also approved by the Senate and signed by President Joe Biden.
The House approved the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2023 in a 350–80 vote. One hundred seventy six Republicans voted for the bill; 35 voted against, and two did not vote. One hundred seventy four Democrats voted for the bill; 45 voted against.
The $858 billion authorization—$45 billion more than Biden requested—drew widespread support from both parties, including Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.), chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, and Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.), the ranking member on the panel….