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The top three Democrats in the House announced late Thursday night that they will vote against the annual defense bill, signaling that a large chunk of the Democratic Caucus will oppose the must-pass legislation when it comes to the floor for a final vote Friday.

The announcement from House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) and Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.) came shortly after the chamber approved a number of conservative amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), including ones pertaining to hot-button issues such as abortion, transgender rights and diversity and inclusion initiatives.

The inclusion of those measures — which were adopted in largely party-line votes — is setting the scene for the NDAA, typically a bipartisan undertaking, to see widespread opposition from Democrats.

“Extreme MAGA Republicans have chosen to hijack the historically bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act to continue attacking reproductive freedom and jamming their right-wing ideology down the throats of the American people,” the Democratic trio wrote in a joint statement.

They continued, writing that Republicans “have turned what should be a meaningful investment in our men and women in uniform into an extreme and reckless legislative joyride.”

“The bill undermines a woman’s freedom to seek abortion care, targets the rights of LGBTQ+ servicemembers and bans books that should otherwise be available to military families,” they added.

The NDAA is set to hit the floor for a final vote Friday morning.

The statement from leadership follows similar announcements from top Democrats on the House Armed Services Committee, which advanced the initial legislation 58-1, and the New Democrat Coalition, which represents about 100 centrist Democrats.

“We worked with our colleagues in committee to pass a bill in an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote that invested in the greatest sources of America’s national strength: service members and their families, innovation and technology, allies and partners, and our defense industrial base and military readiness,” the Armed Services Democrats wrote.

But, they continued, “That bill no longer exists.”

The most controversial amendment added to the NDAA on Thursday was a measure that would reverse the Pentagon’s policy to reimburse travel expenses for service members who get abortions. That policy is what has led Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) to block hundreds of military promotions in the upper chamber in protest.

The House adopted the amendment to reverse the policy in a 221-213 vote. Two Republicans — Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (Pa.) and John Duarte (Calif.) — opposed the measure, while Rep. Henry Cuellar (Texas) was the only Democrat to support it.

The chamber also approved amendments that pertain to transgender rights, diversity initiatives and the promotion of what many conservatives refer to as “woke” ideas.

Democratic leadership’s opposition to the defense bill signals that Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) will have to rely heavily on his Republican colleagues to get the NDAA over the finish line. That, however, could prove to be a heavy lift with a narrow majority, as at least one GOP lawmaker was already planning to vote no and others remain undecided.

If all Democrats vote “no,” McCarthy can only afford to lose a handful of Republicans.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) announced Thursday that she will vote against the bill after her amendment striking $300 million of Ukraine funding authorization from the bill failed. Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) told The Hill late Thursday night that he was “leaning no,” while Reps. Bob Good (R-Va.) and Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) said they have not yet decided how they will vote.

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Original story HERE.

With negotiations between UPS and the Teamsters halted, the union is poised to begin the largest single-employer strike in American history Aug. 1.

Both UPS and the Teamsters say the other group walked away from negotiations around 4 a.m. on July 5.

The current contract runs until midnight July 31. Even if a contract agreement is reached before the deadline, it will still take time for the national union to vote on and ratify a contract and the union has said it will not work past July 31 without a fully-ratified contract.

A strike could disrupt supply chains nationwide. According to UPS, the company transports more than 3% of the global Gross Domestic Product (GPD) and roughly 6% of the United States GDP every day.

But the Teamsters aren't only an economic force in the U.S. — they are important politically. The union regularly endorses candidates for elections at state and federal levels. The Teamsters' political action committee, Democratic, Republican, Independent Voter Education (DRIVE), spent $14.39 million during the 2022 election cycle, according to public records.

As a potential strike looms, dozens of politicians have voiced support for the Teamsters on social media, with some visiting practice picket lines across the country.

Here's a look at what politicians are saying about the situation:

Gov. Andy Beshear

"In Kentucky, we have 14,619 @Teamsters members that work hard every day at UPS to provide for their families. Good wages and healthcare are not only what these hard working Kentuckians have earned and deserve, but it also will help grow and drive our economy for years to come," Beshear, a Democrat, tweeted.

Rep. Morgan McGarvey

"I stand in solidarity with 340,000 hardworking #UPSTeamsters who are taking an important stand for workers rights & working families. They deserve a fair contract with good wages, safe working conditions & better healthcare & retirement benefits. When our workers win, we all win," McGarvey, a Democrat, tweeted.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

"This city has your back, this country has your back, everyday people have your back, because you're not just fighting for yourselves. You are fighting to raise the standard for all working people in this country," Ocasio-Cortez said in a speech to UPS workers.

Sen. Bernie Sanders

"If UPS can spend over $8.4 billion on stock buybacks and dividends this year, it can afford to provide better wages, benefits, and working conditions to its employees," Sanders, an Independent, tweeted.

Rep. Nancy Pelosi

"Unions are the backbone of our middle class and America's working families. I proudly stand with the 340,000 @Teamsters at UPS who are exercising their right to organize. Their tireless work keeps our economy moving — and they deserve dignity, respect and a fair contract," Pelosi, a Democrat, tweeted.

Rep. Max Miller

"Both @UPS & @Teamsters are invaluable to America’s Economic Security. #UPSTeamsters deserve a fair contract. Both sides should continue to negotiate in good faith. This is not a time for government interference," Miller, a Republican, tweeted.

Rep. Katherine Clark

"@UPS @Teamsters work tirelessly to deliver for families and keep our economy moving forward. They deserve safe conditions, affordable benefits, and a fair contract. Let’s come together and secure a deal that supports workers and the services families rely on," Clark, a Democrat, tweeted.

Rep. Greg Landsman

"Standing with the hundreds of thousands of UPS @Teamsters who are fighting for what we want for all workers: better wages and a better life," Landsman, a Democrat, tweeted.

Rep. Marc Molinaro

"I’m grateful to the UPS @teamsters for their hard work and dedication. They deserve a fair contract and thanks for being there to deliver for us," Molinaro, a Republican, tweeted.

Brad Lander

"This morning I joined @804_local’s practice strike in Maspeth. Workers generated $13 billion in profits for @UPS last year. It's in the best interest of the company to #PayUp the wages and benefits that UPS @Teamsters are rightly demanding," Lander, New York City's comptroller and a Democrat, tweeted.

Rep. Jamaal Bowman

"Proud to join UPS @teamsters in Mount Vernon to demand a fair contract, and otherwise they're ready to shut it down. Let's go!!" Bowman, a Democrat, tweeted.

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Original story HERE.