thedrifter
02-26-09, 04:21 PM
Obama's defense budget includes 2.9% raise for troops
WASHINGTON
Service members would receive a 2.9 percent pay increase under the proposed 2010 budget released today by President Barack Obama.
The $533.7 billion Department of Defense budget also would expand funding for disabled veterans, allowing more to receive retirement pay and disability compensation at the same time. It also seeks to improve care for wounded service members and establish a national registry for tracking traumatic brain injury cases.
Base defense spending would increase 4 percent to $533.7 billion, not including $205.5 billion over two years for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Previous defense budgets have included war costs in a separate, supplement bill, but the new administration is releasing both requests simultaneously.
In a budget message, President Obama said the funding proposal “makes critical investments in rebuilding our military, securing our homeland, and expanding our diplomatic efforts, because to provide for the security of the United States we need to use all elements of our power.”
The plan also calls for increasing the number of soldiers and Marines to 547,400 and 202,200, respectively, by the end of this year.
The Department of Veterans Affairs would receive an additional $25 billion during the next five years. Some of the increase would be directed to VA health care centers to improve treatment, according to the administration.
The White House has not yet provided details on funding for specific weapon or ship programs.
Ellie
WASHINGTON
Service members would receive a 2.9 percent pay increase under the proposed 2010 budget released today by President Barack Obama.
The $533.7 billion Department of Defense budget also would expand funding for disabled veterans, allowing more to receive retirement pay and disability compensation at the same time. It also seeks to improve care for wounded service members and establish a national registry for tracking traumatic brain injury cases.
Base defense spending would increase 4 percent to $533.7 billion, not including $205.5 billion over two years for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Previous defense budgets have included war costs in a separate, supplement bill, but the new administration is releasing both requests simultaneously.
In a budget message, President Obama said the funding proposal “makes critical investments in rebuilding our military, securing our homeland, and expanding our diplomatic efforts, because to provide for the security of the United States we need to use all elements of our power.”
The plan also calls for increasing the number of soldiers and Marines to 547,400 and 202,200, respectively, by the end of this year.
The Department of Veterans Affairs would receive an additional $25 billion during the next five years. Some of the increase would be directed to VA health care centers to improve treatment, according to the administration.
The White House has not yet provided details on funding for specific weapon or ship programs.
Ellie