Service members would receive a 2.6 raise in basic pay on Jan. 1, under the version of the 2019 defense-spending bill the Senate Armed Services Committee marked up on May 24. The measure calls for $716 in funding, placing priority on implementation of provisions articulated in Defense Secretary James Mattis’ National Defense Strategy.
The bill calls for increases in active-duty end strength. The Army would be authorized 485,741 soldiers; the Navy, 331,900 sailors; the Marine Corps, 186,100; and the Air Force, 325,720 airmen.
A sampling of other authorizations includes:
* $100 million to procure light attack aircraft for the Marine Corps.
* $100 million for an unmanned aerial system (UAS) for the Marines.
* $350 million for a light attack aircraft for the Air Force.
* $70 million for a prototype of the next-generation combat vehicle.
* $110 million more for procurement of 10 Paladin Integrated Management sets than the Trump administration requested in its proposed budget request.
* An additional $20 million to speed development of the Extended Range Cannon Artillery gun, beyond the administration’s initial request.
* $200 million for security assistance to Ukraine.
* Directing the Army to get short-term capability “to fill gaps in cruise missile defense,” particularly as it relates to threats from Russia and China.
