Bush Signs 2008 Defense Bill

Satisfied with changes Congress made regarding seizure of Iraqi assets held in the U.S., President Bush signed the 2008 National Defense Authorization Act on Jan. 28. The $696 billion bill includes a 3.5-percent military pay raise, as well as increased health care and benefits for those wounded in the line of duty. The Senate had approved an amended version of the measure, which addressed the administration’s concerns, on Jan. 22. During the stalemate that delayed enactment of the bill, a 3 percent military pay raise as of Jan. 1 took effect. Now that the bill is signed, service members can expect retroactive compensation for the half-percent of pay they have not yet received, as well as bonuses and incentives that may have been delayed.