Senate aims to wrap up defense bill this week

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Senate aims to wrap up defense bill this week
By Rick Maze - Staff writer
Posted : Wednesday Sep 10, 2008 5:35:00 EDT

Senate leaders hope to compress work on the 2009 defense policy bill — which traditionally takes two to three weeks and involves consideration of 300 or more amendments — into just four days as part of an abbreviated legislative schedule aimed at getting lawmakers home to run for re-election by the first week in October.

The bill, S 3001, is the annual defense authorization measure that provides permission for the Pentagon to move forward on $612.5 billion in programs, including $70 billion for Iraq and Afghanistan operations.

Included in the bill is a 3.9 percent raise in basic pay and drill pay that would take effect Jan. 1; increases in Army and Marine Corps end strength; expansion of bonuses and special pays; and new travel benefits.

The bill also bars the Defense Department from raising fees for people using the Tricare health insurance program.

The House of Representatives passed its version of the bill, HR 5658, on May 22 and has been waiting on the Senate to act so that negotiations can begin on a final compromise version.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/09/military_defenseauthorization_090908w/%2e