The move comes on the three-year anniversary of President Joe Biden's repeal of the ban on transgender individuals serving in the military.
The annual defense authorization bill contains a 5.2% pay raise for troops and a host of other policy renewals needed for military operations.
The U.S. Navy said the ship “was conducting routine operations in international waters ... consistent with international law.”
Congressional Democrats and outside advocates say updated policies for the department are long overdue.
The patrols come days after Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called the situation in the South China Sea increasingly “dire.”
VA officials announced plans to provide gender conforming surgeries more than two years ago, but have not moved ahead on the promise.
China has stood by its claim to virtually the entire South China Sea, clashing with its neighbors and drawing in the U.S., Manila’s treaty ally.
Veterans Affairs officials reached more veterans last year than ever before, but the department's leader said there is still more work to be done.
Positioning Marines forward in the Indo-Pacific is part of the Corps’ plan for countering a potential adversary as technologically adept as China.
Paychecks to troops could be delayed next month unless lawmakers pass measures to guarantee military pay.
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