Leader McCarthy: 'We Just Won'; Vaccine Mandate Lifted for U.S. Military

Congress has reached a bipartisan, bicameral agreement to pass the Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which provides a total of $857.9 billion for national defense ($816.7 billion for the Department of Defense and $30.3 billion for national security programs within the Department of Energy).

What it does NOT contain is a controversial COVID vaccine mandate. In fact, the NDAA "requires the Secretary of Defense to rescind the mandate that members of the Armed Forces be vaccinated against COVID-19."

House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy called that a win for Republicans:

"I got good news for you," McCarthy told Fox News's Sean Hannity Tuesday night:

"You know what just posted online? The National Defense Authorization Act. You know what a new majority means in Congress? We will now lift the mandate in our military for the vaccine. No longer will they be able to kick out our men and servicewomen.