Gianforte Votes to Raise Troops' Pay, Increase Military Readiness

Press Release

Montana Congressman Greg Gianforte voted today to increase military pay, strengthen U.S. armed forces, improve veterans benefits, and end a half-decade of funding cuts that substantially reduced our military readiness.

The National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2018 (NDAA) passed the House today 356-70. The bill authorizes $634.2 billion in military spending, a $26.4 billion increase above the president's requests.

"Our military men and women are our country's most vital asset," Gianforte said. "Today we reaffirm our support for our troops and their families by improving their benefits as well as dedicating more resources to their training and equipment. In addition to providing troops with their largest pay raise in eight years, we also make necessary, critical investments to restore America's military readiness."

Included in the defense funding measure was a 2.4 percent pay raise for our troops -- the largest military pay raise in the past 8 years. The bill also takes steps to provide better health care for military members and their families.

America's defense leaders have warned that dramatic budget cuts over the last five years have decreased American military personnel and readiness in a world of increasing threats. NDAA authorizes increases to the size of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Army Guard and Reserve, Naval and Air Reserve, and Air Guard, while making key investments in equipment, training, maintenance and facilities, and modernizing missile defense and cyberspace security.

The bill goes to the president for his consideration.

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