Armed Forces News

fedweek.com: cbo report on federal pay and benefits justification for benefit cuts cherry picking Image: Golden Brown/Shutterstock.com

Service members would receive a 2.7-percent increase in basic pay on Jan. 1, under the $777.7 billion defense-spending bill that passed the Senate Dec. 15 by an 88-11 vote. The bill cleared the House 363-70 and heads to President Biden, who is expected to sign it into law.Other provisions include:

•      Changes to the Uniform Code of Military Justice that strengthen protections for sexual-assault victims, and enhance the way crimes such as murder, manslaughter, kidnapping and other crimes are investigated and prosecuted.
•      Investments in submarines, battle force ships, aircraft and vehicles.
•      Extension of both the Pacific and European deterrence initiatives, to bolster U.S. posture and presence in these regions.
•      Strengthening the supply chain that supports the defense industrial base.
•      Modernization of technologies relating to hypersonic weapons, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies and biotechnologies.
•      Establishment of a commission to study U.S. actions in Afghanistan between 2001 and 2021.
•      A military construction budget exceeding President Biden’s request by $3.5 billion.
•      Maintenance and modernization of the nuclear deterrent.
•      Advancement of missile defense systems and programs.
•      Establishment of an independent commission to review planning, programming, budgeting and execution.
•      Advancements in the Defense Department’s cybersecurity strategy and capabilities.

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