Congressional appropriators want to fund a 3.8% pay raise for all service members, which was authorized in the National Defense Authorization Act. It’s part of an $839 billion compromise spending bill lawmakers hope to pass with other spending bills before current government spending ends Jan. 30. 

“The defense spending plan “champion[s] America’s military superiority, ensuring our troops can deter, fight, and win,” according to a press release from House Appropriations Committee Republicans. “Strategic investments restore military strength, accelerate innovation, and reinforce President Trump’s peace through strength agenda. The bill also bolsters U.S. industrial supply chains, delivers next-generation weapons and assets, and includes a well-earned pay raise for our troops.” 

A bill summary outlines other key provisions, including: 

• A 1% pay raise for DOD civilians 

• An increase in force-wide end strength by more than 30,000 service members 

• $50 million for Impact Aid and $20 million for Impact Aid for children with disabilities 

• $5 million to build additional Fisher Houses to help military families facing illness or hospitalization 

Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. William Blankenship