Congress passes 3.4 percent pay boost for military (and other items)

[Ilsa]

By ANDREW TAYLOR
Associated Press Writer


WASHINGTON (AP) -- Military personnel will get an above-inflation pay raise of 3.4 percent under a Pentagon policy bill the Senate passed Thursday and sent to President Barack Obama for his signature.

The pay increase was a half-percentage point more than Obama sought earlier this year and beats the average pay boost in the private sector.

The popular legislation also gives Obama a few victories in his bid to kill some especially costly weapons systems, though it contains an effort by lawmakers to continue development - over the president's strong objections - of a costly alternative engine for the Pentagon's next-generation fighter jet.

The Senate cleared the House-Senate compromise measure by a 68-29 vote. SNIP

http://ap.stripes.com/dynamic/stories/U/US_CONGRESS_DEFENSE?SITE=DCSAS&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

The bill also contains legislation strengthening federal hate crimes laws to include violence against homosexuals, termination of the F-22 production, terminate the VH-71 replacement helicopter program for the presidential fleet, cuts the missile defense program by about 12 percent, and increases, from $500 to $1,100, the supplemental allowance paid to service members with large families to make sure they earn at least 130 percent of the federal poverty line.

[xchrom]

1. good! -- and please don't let it go so long

before they get another.

the military should be paid well.