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Article snippet: Democrats voiced confidence on Wednesday that they will be able to pass a sweeping defense policy bill this week despite continuing intraparty squabbles born from the fallout over a border aid bill. “I feel confident the support is there for the [defense bill]. I think there will be a supermajority of Democrats who will be supportive,” Assistant Speaker Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), a leading progressive, told The Hill on Wednesday evening. “You’ve seen the good work of members on the committee, not just from the moderate Blue Dogs and New Democrats but also the progressives who are supportive,” he added. “That will translate to a strong vote coming from us.” The bill survived an initial procedural vote Wednesday afternoon when the rule for floor debate was approved 234-197, largely along party lines. Final passage is expected Friday. With few, if any, Republicans expected to back the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), Democrats will need support from every faction of their party to get the bill over the finish line. Progressive Caucus leaders said Wednesday they remain undecided on how to vote on a $733 billion bill they consider too costly. But they showed an inclination to support it if amendments to constrain MORE (D-Calif.), have pledged to vote yes. “We’ll have to see what passes on the floor,” Progressive Caucus Co-Chair Rep. MORE (D-Wash.) said. The amendments are “important because they’re in the context of an administration that is not taking authori... Link to the full article to read more