Senate passes defense policy bill void of most GOP culture-war demands

The Senate has passed its annual defense policy bill for the 2021 fiscal year, which includes increased funding for military and veterans services. This bill did not include many of the more controversial culture-war demands proposed by Republicans. Among these demands were amendments restricting trans rights in the military, limiting sexual education taught in public schools, and blocking the Secretary of Defense from renaming U.S. military bases that are currently named after Confederate figures. Despite some Republican pushback, the bill ultimately passed with a strong bipartisan majority of 84-13.