House Passes 2010 Defense Bill

Service members would receive a 3.4-percent pay raise next January 1 under the version of the 2010 defense bill, which passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 389 to 22 on June 25. Other provisions would increase strength for each service branch, improve family housing, and increase TRICARE coverage for reservists and National Guard members. The measure also continues funding for operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, and includes plans to monitor redeployment of U.S. troops from Iraq and handle the disposition of U.S. military equipment in Iraq. The bill is H.R. 2647.