Washington, D.C. – Today, the House Appropriations Committee met to consider the Fiscal Year 2025 Defense Appropriations Act. The measure was approved by the Committee with a vote of 34 to 25.
Defense Subcommittee Chairman Ken Calvert (R-CA) said, “This bill provides the resources necessary for our military to deter conflict and prevail in war. The spending priorities included in this bill acknowledge that the threats against the United States are no longer a future challenge, but a current reality. The Fiscal Year 2025 Defense Appropriations Bill provides our warfighters with the resources they need to meet these challenges by prioritizing capabilities that counter China, increasing investments in rapidly-fielded innovative technologies, reforming the Pentagon’s business practices, and increasing the Department’s role in countering the China-supplied fentanyl crisis. Recognizing that our national security is only as resilient as our military members and families are, this bill fully funds a military pay raise and includes a historic pay increase for our junior enlisted servicemembers. I am proud of this bill and pleased to see it pass full committee today, and grateful to Chairman Cole for his leadership.”
Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK) said, “Freedom endures because of the selfless people willing to defend their nation at all cost. Our troops have committed to that sacred oath, and their cause continues to be summoned. Renewed threats and aggressors across the globe echo imperialism of the past and challenge U.S. safety and interests. It’s why providing our men and women in uniform with the tools needed to deter, fight, and win is imperative. This FY25 bill strengthens America’s defense and the readiness of our armed forces. Chairman Calvert focused resources on the Pentagon’s core mission of delivering a combat-ready military that can prevent war and protect our great nation. Voting to advance this bill is core to keeping our military the strongest fighting force in the world.”
The Defense Appropriations Act provides a total discretionary allocation of $833.053 billion, which is $8.57 billion (1%) above the Fiscal Year 2024 level and consistent with the limit set in law by the Fiscal Responsibility Act.
The bill strategically refocuses the Pentagon on its core mission: delivering combat-ready military forces to deter war and ensure national security. It eliminates funding for divisive social agendas and initiatives that do not align with the Department’s primary purpose.
Due to persistent oversight of program execution across the Department of Defense (DOD), the bill rejects $18 billion in unjustified and unnecessary items included in the President’s Budget Request and redirects those resources to programs and activities that counter the People’s Republic of China and other near-peer adversaries, foster innovation, enhance the DOD’s role in combating the flow of fentanyl and other illegal drugs, and support servicemembers and their families.
Supporting our military service members and their families should be one of our nation’s top priorities That’s why the recently passed House bill to significantly raise military pay is so important This bill would provide all military personnel with a 4.5% pay raise, while giving junior enlisted troops – ranks E1 to E4 – a total boost of 14.5% through an additional 10% raise.
The Need for Better Military Pay
For years, military pay has struggled to keep up with private sector salaries and the rising cost of living. This has made it difficult for many service members, especially young enlisted troops, to cover basic necessities. Surveys have shown that over 25% of military families struggle with food insecurity. Financial strains have also impacted retention and recruitment.
Junior enlisted troops are the most vulnerable to financial hardship. An E-1 enlisted service member currently earns around $24,000 per year. Meanwhile, fast food workers in areas with high military populations like California can now earn over $30,000 thanks to minimum wage hikes. It’s unacceptable that we pay the troops defending our country less than civilian fast food employees.
Details of the House Bill
To address this problem, members of Congress from both parties supported a House bill authorizing military pay raises for 2025. The bipartisan support reflects the urgent need to improve compensation for our dedicated service members.
Specifically the House bill would provide the following pay raises
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4.5% increase for all military personnel. This bump would take effect in January 2025 as usual.
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Additional 10% increase for junior enlisted ranks E1 to E4, boosting their total raise to 14.5%. This extra pay raise would start in April 2025.
Under the bill an E-1 would see their salary jump from around $24000 currently to almost $28,000. And an E-4 with 6 years experience would go from $38,000 to over $44,000. Though not as high as the 19.5% raise initially proposed, this 14.5% hike would still provide meaningful relief.
Impact on Military Families
This pay raise would positively impact military families in several key ways:
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Greater financial security – The extra income could help families cover necessities like food, childcare, and housing without such a financial strain.
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Improved retention/recruitment – Better compensation makes a military career more attractive. This helps retain talented service members.
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Increased morale – Fair pay boosts morale and makes troops feel more valued for their sacrifices. Higher morale improves unit cohesion.
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Reduced need for assistance – Financial struggles currently force many military families to rely on food stamps and charity. Fair pay reduces this need.
While this bill focuses specifically on lower ranking enlisted troops, it sets a precedent to better compensate service members across the ranks in the future.
Opposition to the Pay Raises
Despite the clear benefits, the House bill faced some pushback. The White House cautioned against significant raises before the completion of its own military compensation review. The Department of Defense also raised concerns about the cost, which is estimated at $3.3 billion for 2025 alone.
In the Senate, the initial proposal provided smaller 5.5% raises for junior enlisted. Some senators cited budget constraints imposed by the Fiscal Responsibility Act as a limiting factor. However, the Senate has now backed a compromise bill matching the House’s 14.5% for junior enlisted troops.
Importance of Providing Fair Compensation
While cost is a valid concern, it is unacceptable for us to shortchange those making immense sacrifices to serve our nation. We must fulfill our moral obligation to provide fair pay. Our nation is securing an enormous return on investment by compensating the troops sufficiently to sustain a skilled, driven All-Volunteer Force.
The House bill is a strong step in better aligning military pay with the dynamic labor market and rising living costs. But this should only be the start – Congress should monitor compensation closely going forward and regularly adjust pay to avoid falling behind.
Providing competitive pay will improve morale, readiness, and safety of the troops. It will also make the military a more attractive career path for talented Americans considering service. Supporting our troops through fair pay conveys the gratitude and respect they deserve. This bill makes clear that our nation values the troops who make daily sacrifices to protect our freedoms.
$768 billion defense bill passed by House includes pay increase for military members
FAQ
Will the military get a pay raise in 2024?
The military pay raise has matched ECI every year for nearly a decade. It’s a lagging indicator – the 5. 2% raise servicemembers received in 2024 matches the September 2022 ECI, for example, and the proposed 4. 5% raise for the coming year matches the September 2023 ECI.
What is the new military bill for 2024?
Operation and Maintenance – The fiscal year 2024 bill provides $287. 2 billion, an increase of $9. 1 billion above fiscal year 2023. This includes: $32. 5 billion to the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force for depot maintenance, which is an extra $1 billion. 8 billion above fiscal year 2023.
Is the military getting a 19.5% pay raise?
Among many provisions, this year’s NDAA includes a 19. 5% pay raise for junior enlisted troops and a 4. five percent pay raise for all other service members, changes to the cost-of-living allowance for our men and women in uniform to account for inflation that is getting out of hand, and full coverage of servicemember housing in line with
Did the house pass a military bill?
What is a military pay raise?
The sweeping legislation authorizes a 5. a 2% pay raise for military members; this is the biggest raise for service members in more than 20 years; it’s part of a wide range of changes to service members’ pay and benefits, housing, and child care.
Will NDAA enact a 15% pay raise?
The committee introduced a bill last month to enact the 15% pay raise. Committee leaders said they planned to include the bill in their NDAA. Meanwhile, by law, all service members are entitled to an annual raise.
Will NDAA increase military pay?
Based on the House Armed Services Committee’s suggestion in its draft of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the smallest parts of the military could get a 19 5% pay hike next year if the plan becomes law.
How much will the NDAA raise next year?
The proposed House NDAA that came out on Monday includes both the general raise and the targeted raise for junior enlisted members. This means that E-1s through E-4s would get a 19% raise. 5% raise next year, according to the bill text and committee staffers who briefed reporters under the committee’s rules that they had to remain anonymous.
How important is a 52% pay increase?
“This important legislation not only authorizes a 5. A 2% pay raise for service members and civilian workers directly invests in America’s national security and military power projection to meet the challenges of the 21st century, according to Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Major Gen. Pat Ryder during a briefing today.
Should E-1s get a 15% pay raise?
Members of the House Armed Services Committee had previously said they wanted to give E-1s through E-4s a 2015 pay raise. This was after a bipartisan group of lawmakers who were asked to look into military quality of life issues found that military pay has been falling behind inflation and private sector pay. The committee introduced a bill last month to enact the 15% pay raise.
