Senate Passes Defense Policy Bill with Largest Pay Raise for Troops in Over Two Decades, Despite Divisive Debate

On Wednesday, the Senate passed a defense policy bill that authorizes the largest pay raise for troops in over two decades. The bill was met with an unusually divisive debate, as it left out many of the policy priorities that social conservatives were hoping to see included.

The bill was the result of months of negotiations between the two chambers, after they passed strikingly different versions in July. Social conservatives had championed certain priorities, but Democrats were unwilling to accept them, so they were dropped from the final bill.

The bill passed the Senate with a vote of 87-13 and now moves to the House, where opponents have been more vocal about their concerns. The bill is traditionally a strongly bipartisan effort, but this year’s debate has been more contentious than usual.

The bill authorizes a 3% pay raise for troops, the largest in more than two decades. It also includes provisions to improve military housing, expand parental leave, and provide more mental health resources for service members. It also includes measures to protect troops from predatory lenders and to improve the military justice system.