The Senate Appropriations Committee unanimously approved the fiscal year 2025 defense spending bill Thursday. It raises defense spending by 3.3% over the current year’s spending.
“I am especially glad this bill provides new resources to make sure the men and women who keep our country safe can make ends meet and take care of their families as they serve our nation,” Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Patty Murray (D-Wash.) said in a press release.
The committee’s top Republican, Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) said in a separate release that “the bill also makes key investments to strengthen military readiness, address inflation, promote innovation, and enhance counter-drug efforts.”
What’s In It
Here are some of the highlights, according to a bill summary.
- $110 million for the Defense Community Infrastructure Program, which is more than the $50 million the House is considering
- $200 million for the Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration program
- 5% pay raise for all service members
- an additional 1% pay raise for personnel in the E1-E3 ranks, lower than what the House is considering
- $251 million for basic needs allowance for low-income service members and military families
What’s Next
The House and Senate may consider their defense spending bills when they return to D.C. after Labor Day, but it is unlikely that the appropriations process will be completed by the start of the new fiscal year Oct. 1.
Lawmakers have begun discussing the terms of a stopgap spending bill to give themselves more time.
DOD photo by Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Alexander Kubitza
