Senate passes defense policy bill, retaining provision to rename Confederate bases

The Senate voted 86-14 today to pass a $740 billion fiscal year 2021 defense authorization bill, including a provision forcing the Pentagon to rename bases honoring Confederate leaders, which has drawn the ire of President Trump.

The Senate will now have to reconcile its bill with the House, which passed its version of the FY-21 legislation earlier this week.

The Senate bill includes numerous provisions targeting China and authorizes a $1.4 billion Pacific Deterrence Initiative to bolster U.S. military presence in the Asia-Pacific region.

It would also establish a commission to study and provide recommendations on removing names of Confederate leaders from U.S. military bases, with implementation scheduled for three years after enactment.

The White House is warning President Trump's senior advisers will recommend he veto the House's version of the FY-21 defense bill over a similar provision on renaming bases, as well as other elements of the legislation.