The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in a 281 – 140 vote. The annual military budget contains a provision banning gender-affirming care for military members with trans children; nonetheless, 81 Democratic representatives voted in favor of the NDAA.

The U.S. House of Representatives passed a defense policy bill on Wednesday governing a record $895 billion in annual military spending, despite the inclusion of a controversial policy targeting gender-affirming care for transgender children.

Speaker Mike Johnson drew criticism for leveraging the National Defense Authorization Act to target medical care for service members’ transgender children.

The House voted on Wednesday to pass a critical defense policy bill known as the National Defense Authorization Act, which includes a ban against gender-affirming care for some transgender children that further inflamed the politics around the must-pass piece of legislation.

A massive defense policy bill on track to clear the House on Wednesday includes a ban on gender-affirming care for children of servicemembers — a provision that sparked opposition from the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee.

The House is expected to vote Wednesday on the critical defense policy bill known as the National Defense Authorization Act, which includes a ban against gender-affirming care for some transgender children that has further inflamed the politics around the must-pass piece of legislation.