"Congressional Negotiations on Defense Policy Bill: Diversity Initiatives Gutted in Military Spending Budget Talks"

Congress is set to negotiate a compromise defense policy bill, but this year's talks may be more challenging due to partisan provisions added by House Republicans and differing amendments in the Senate version. Key differences include Freedom Caucus amendments, the establishment of an independent inspector general for Ukraine aid, provisions related to AUKUS, Senate approval for U.S. withdrawal from NATO, Buy America requirements, revival of the chief management officer position, abolishing the Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation Office, and the final location for the Space Command headquarters.