The Senate Armed Services Committee passed its fiscal year 2022 defense policy bill Thursday after closed door markup sessions. The bill passed the committee on a 23-3 vote.
There was bipartisan support for a Republican amendment to authorize an additional $25 billion in defense spending over the president’s budget request, allowing for $740.3 billion for the Pentagon.
Here are some of the items included, based on an initial committee summary:
- A 2.7% pay raise for uniformed and civilian personnel
- A basic needs allowance for service members
- 12 weeks of paid parental leave for a primary or secondary caregiver when a child is born or adopted
- A pilot program to help military spouses get fellowships
- Kirsten Gillibrand’s (D-N.Y.) legislation to remove investigations of sexual assault and other major crimes from the chain of command, as Military Times reported
- Language from the committee chair, Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.), requiring that women register for the draft
It’s still too early to know how much Congress will give DOD for fiscal year 2022. House authorizers, Senate appropriators and both Budget committees are still working on related legislation.
Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jonah Fronk
