The 2013 National Defense Authorization act has been signed into law by President Obama. The act allows the DoD to institute pay raises, bonuses and incentive pay for U.S. Armed Forces personnel and this year it includes a 1.7% pay increase. The defense bill was signed by President Obama “despite having serious reservations with certain provisions that regulate the detention, interrogation, and prosecution of suspected terrorists”.
Highlights from the Bill:
- 1.7% pay increase to military personnel
- $527.5 billion for the Department of Defense’s base budge
- $88.5 billion for overseas contingency operations
- $17.8 billion for national security programs in the Energy Department and Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board
- Extends the Commanders’ Emergency Response Program
- Authorizes a one-year extension of the Afghan Infrastructure Fund
- Extends the Coalition Support Fund
- Extends the Pakistan Counterinsurgency Fund
- Authorizes U.S. training activities in Iraq
- Authorizes changes needed to sexual assault in the military
- Provides funding for servicewomen who need abortions in case of rape or incest
- Establishes the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission
- The Air Force received 32 more C-130 aircraft than requested
- Raises the co-pay for medications under TRICARE through 2022
- Limits any annual increases in pharmacy co-payments to increases in retiree cost of living adjustment
- Authorizes the defense biofuel initiative & counternarcotic authorities
- Tightens penalties on Iran’s nuclear ambitions
- Fortifies security for diplomatic missions
The bill also blocked proposed increases in Tricare health insurance fees something President Obama believes may result in deeper cuts elsewhere down the line.
