Today, Explained I want you! (to fight the culture war)
Jul 24, 2023
Jonathan Blitzer, a political analyst at The New Yorker, and Lee Zoe, a politics reporter at Fox News, dive into the intense culture war over the defense bill. They discuss how far-right amendments are reshaping military funding and aligning it with social issues like abortion and transgender rights. McCarthy’s struggle to balance party divisions adds tension, along with the impact of restrictive abortion laws on military recruitment. The conversation rounds off with insights on representation in media, sparked by the story of a black superhero toy.
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NDAA as Culture War Weapon
- The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), usually bipartisan, has become a culture war battleground.
- Republicans added amendments on abortion, trans rights, and DEI, causing partisan division.
Past Partisan Amendments
- Democrats have previously used the NDAA for partisan amendments, like restricting Trump-related investments in 2019.
- They've also included amendments on polarizing issues such as closing Guantanamo Bay.
Extremity of Amendments
- This year's NDAA feels different due to the extremity of the amendments pushed by the far-right House Freedom Caucus.
- These amendments are highly ideological and controversial, increasing the sense of division.