Senate passes $883.7 billion defense policy bill that includes record 5.2% pay raise and excludes highly partisan social provisions
by Jamie McIntyre, Senior Writer
December 14, 2023 07:10 AM
NDAA PASSES SENATE 87-13: With an overwhelming bipartisan vote, the Senate has passed and sent to the House the annual National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal 2024, which began Oct. 1. The bill supports $883.7 billion in defense spending, including $841.4 billion for the Pentagon, a roughly 3% increase over last year.
Senators praised the passage as a sign that Democrats and Republicans are capable of working together and finding compromise when U.S. national security is at stake, and they were anxious to tout the 5.2% pay raise for both the military and civilian DOD employees.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) pronounced the bill as “precisely the kind of bipartisan cooperation the American people want from Congress.”
“While no bill is perfect, the passage of the defense authorization bill makes us a stronger nation and provides certainty and predictability to our armed forces at a time of growing threats,” Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) said.
“This NDAA takes care of our servicemembers and their families, providing the largest pay raise in decades and improving housing, education, and childcare access,” Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said in a statement.
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https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/defense-national-security/senate-passes-883-7-billion-defense-policy-bill-that-includes-record-5-2-pay-raise-and-excludes-highly-partisan-social-provisions