The Hill reports that the Armed Services committees have agreed to a “pared down” National Defense Authorization Act.  The bill passed on Wednesday was “devoid” of controversial measures, including

• DADT repeal, which is obviously moot;
• a second F-35 engine manufacturer; and
• the Burris Amendment.

The Burris Amendment would have permitted abortions at military facilities, and was as strongly opposed, if not more so, than the decision to allow homosexuals to serve openly in the military.  Its presence, however, was largely overshadowed by the uproar over DADT.

Passage of the 2011 NDAA would complete the annual authorization and funding cycle for the military, which has been operating in a holdover state since the fiscal year ended on October 1st.  Included is a 1.4% pay raise for servicemembers.