The Senate Armed Services Personnel Subcommittee held its public markup of the 2021 national defense bill on Thursday, approving Department of Defense requests for a 5,600 troop increase as well as an incentivized pay increase for health professionals. 

The full language of the bill will not be released until the full committee sends the bill to the Senate floor, CQ reports. 

Additional provisions include an investigation into health conditions arising for poor housing conditions of private providers, as well as the Safe to Report amendment which will help address military sexual assault.  

“Not only do too many survivors still fear retribution for reporting their experiences, but they also lack confidence that justice will be served if they come forward,” said U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand in a press release. “We must do more to provide a safe environment for our men and women in uniform to report instances of sexual assault. 

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Sara Eshleman/Released