"Defense Spending Bill Includes Troop Pay Raise, Enlisted Hardship Bonuses, and Replicator Drones"
Lawmakers have unveiled a last-minute agreement to provide the Pentagon with $825 billion for this fiscal year, ensuring uninterrupted troop pay and avoiding devastating effects to personnel funding. The legislation includes a 5.2% troop pay raise and additional funding for enlisted hardship bonuses, housing allowances, and basic needs allowance. Controversial policy riders on abortion and LGBTQ+ service members were eschewed, and the bill is expected to pass Congress, although timing before the funding deadline is uncertain.