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Amidst the turmoil surrounding governmental funding, the Senate has advanced a significant defense authorization bill, allocating nearly $900 billion for various military expenditures, including a pay raise for service members. However, the bill has faced opposition from several Democrats due to controversial provisions related to healthcare for transgender service members.
Bipartisan support for changes to Social Security benefits for public sector workers also remains high, further setting the stage for contentious discussions as lawmakers weigh budgetary implications versus the benefits for retirees.