* The House of Representatives has approved the $738 billion bill, setting policy for the U.S. Department of Defense
* It covers everything from family leave to the creation of a Space Force
* The fiscal 2020 National Defense Authorization Act increases defense spending by about $20 billion
* It increases pay for the troops by 3.1% and mandates 12 weeks' paid leave so federal workers can care for their families
* A handful of mostly left-leaning House Democrats opposed the bill
The House of Representatives approved on Wednesday a $738 billion bill setting policy for the U.S. Department of Defense on everything from family leave to fighter jets and the creation of a Space Force that has been a priority for President Donald Trump.
The count in the Democratic-controlled chamber was 377-48, enough to send the conference report on the National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, to the Senate, where a vote is expected by the end of next week.
Trump has promised to sign the legislation as soon as it passes Congress.
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Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- December 12, 2019
House passes ‘progressive’ defense bill, 377-48 -- Defense News
U.S. House approves Space Force, family leave in $738 billion defense bill -- Reuters
House passes defense bill creating Space Force, paid parental leave -- UPI
House passes defense bill to establish Space Force, paid family leave for federal workers -- The Hill
House Dems Pass Defense Budget On Republican Terms: 7 Key Takeaways -- Forbes
DoD Considers Leaving Smaller Number of Troops in Afghanistan -- AP
After Banning Transfer, Pentagon Makes Plans for Buying F-35s Once Destined for Turkey -- Sputnik
Pentagon Must Demand Refunds on Flawed F-35 Parts -- Anthony Capaccio, Bloomberg
Direct Hit: Army Test-Fires Lockheed Precision Strike Missile EXCLUSIVE -- Breaking Defense
Shyu To Army: ‘You Can’t Have It All’ With 31 Modernization Priorities -- Breaking Defense
Why the US Army must ‘get religion’ on 3D printing -- Aaron Mehta, Defense News
US Navy Will Focus on Building More New Generation Submarines, American Admiral Says -- Sputnik
Reclaim the Coast Guard’s Military Roots -- US Naval Institute
Pentagon dismisses Amazon questions over Esper's recusal in 'war cloud' case -- The Hill
State Department Reprimanded Pakistan for Misusing F-16s, Document Shows -- US News and World Report
Pentagon leaders: Trump clemencies won't affect military order and discipline -- The Hill
Pentagon’s top official on Asia policy, Randall Schriver, quits his post -- SCMP
Top general: Military won’t be a ‘raping, burning and pillaging’ gang after Trump’s war crimes pardons -- Politico
White House vows to appeal ruling blocking use of military funds for border wall -- The Hill
Trump Pressures Tokyo to Choose U.S. Fighter Jet Over Rival BAE -- Financial Times
F-35’s troubled present & uncertain future: Japan eyes local assembly of the fighter jet that faces new problems in the US -- RT
US To Lead Biggest Military Drill In Europe Since Cold War, Showing NATO How It's Done -- Zero Hedge
Germany: Indian couple convicted of spying for Delhi -- DW
German arms companies accused of aiding war crimes in Yemen -- DW
German army reintroduces military rabbis after more than 100 years -- FOX News
Putin, Erdogan pledge to continue military cooperation: Kremlin -- Reuters
Top Turkish official suggests US might be blocked from air bases over sanctions -- The Hill
Facing Up to China’s Military Interests in the Arctic -- Anne-Marie Brady, RCD/China Brief
Human remains from Chilean military plane found floating in water -- CBC/AP
Author Reveals Top-5 List of World's Most Powerful Navies -- Sputnik
