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A bill authorizing $696 billion in spending for the Defense Department, raising military pay by 2.4 percent for service members and creating a new branch of the military for space operations passed the House by a vote of 344–81. The bill authorizes enough funds to go head-to-head with sequestration as it makes a return in 2018 unless a budget deal is reached.
The Trump administration wants to increase early retirement and separation incentives from a cap of $25,000 to $40,000 for all civilian federal employees. It also wants to create a governmentwide industry exchange program, which would let federal employees temporary work in a private corporation or association for no more than two years. The administration submitted both proposals to Congress to be included in the National Defense Authorization Act.
Representatives already submitted their amendments to the House Rules Committee for the bill and Federal News Radio compiled a list of the amendments you should watch when they get to the floor.
The Navy announced its bonus reenlistment numbers for pilots in 2018. Meanwhile, Congress is trying to give more money to the Air Force to retain pilots.
The Senate Armed Services Committee wants to cut some basic housing allowance for dual military couples to save money in the long run. The committee tried to make more drastic cuts last year, but they did not make it into law.
The House Armed Services Committee passed an amendment recognizing climate change as a threat to national security. The amendment tells the defense secretary to take steps to address it.
The Senate defense authorization bill increases the Army's active duty end strength by 5,000. It also creates a policy for responding to cyber attacks.
The House Armed Services Committee voted Wednesday to carve out the Air Force's current space missions and turn them over to a new U.S. Space Corps. But several members objected, saying the full committee has never even held a hearing on the issue.
The House defense authorization bill brought up some important issues for those in the military and their loved ones. Find out what could affect you in the coming year.
The House Armed Services Committee is set to begin its annual marathon session marking up the Defense authorization bill today. The initial draft includes more than 60 provisions dealing with acquisition, including one telling DoD to buy commercial products from online "marketplaces" like Amazon.
The Senate Armed Services Committee and its subcommittees are marking up the defense authorization bill in a completely classified setting.
House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mac Thornberry said he wouldn't back down from the $640 billion defense top-line in the NDAA unless a multi-year budget deal could be reached. But then he backed down from the $640 billion top-line.
Rep. Mac Thornberry’s (R-Texas) said his draft version of the defense authorization bill includes a pay raise for military members and increased missile defense spending.
A House panel wants to give military spouses up to $500 to get relicensed in their occupations after station changes in order to make relocation easier on families.