What Congress Has in Store for You

Jan 2 2006

The yearly Defense Appropriations Act provides the funding for the military services to operate, and the Defense Authorization Act tells the Department of Defense exactly what they are allowed to spend that money on.

So, exactly what does Congress have in store for our military troops in 2006?

Basic Pay: Congress approved a 3.1 percent across-the-board increase in military basic pay, This is the second year in a row that Congress has elected to increase base pay across-the-board.

As always, the raise will be effective on January 1, 2006, which means military members will see the raise in their January 15 paychecks.

Reservist Income Replacement. Section 910 of the legislation requires the military to make up the difference (up to $3,000 per month) between a member's average civilian salary and his/her military salary, when called to active duty under certain circumstances

completes 18 continuous months of service on active duty under such an order;

completes 24 months on active duty during the previous 60 months under such an order; or

is involuntarily mobilized for service on active duty for a period of 180 days or more within six months or less following the member's separation from a previous period of involuntary active duty for a period of 180 days or more.

Housing Allowance. As with last year, Congress has decided to continue to fund Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH)

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