Tester, Rubio fight to boost troops’ pay raise

Senators’ amendment brings military pay in line with inflation, honors service

(U.S. SENATE) – Senators Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) are fighting to boost the pay increase for America’s fighting men and women.

Tester and Rubio are introducing an amendment to the national defense bill to increase pay for service members by 1.8 percent to meet a rise in the cost-of-living.

The current defense bill increases military pay by one percent. But a 2004 law requires that military pay match changes to the Employment Cost Index, which measures the increase in cost-of-living at 1.8 percent.

“This amendment ensures our military men and women receive a pay raise consistent with current law and in line with growth in the private sector,” Tester said. “Though our military makes up just one percent of our population, service members and their families shoulder tremendous burdens and make great sacrifices to keep us safe and maintain our freedom. We owe it to them to make sure they can take care of their families.”

“The men and women of our military make huge sacrifices for our nation and have earned the chance to be compensated accordingly. Passing this amendment will have a direct positive impact on our military volunteers and their families,” said Rubio. “Congress and the President should be following the laws already on the books to provide appropriate compensation to the members of the armed forces. As we continue to deploy troops all around the world to fight terrorism, respond to disasters and defend our interests, we have a duty to take care of them and their families.”

The Senators’ amendment is supported by the Military Officers Association of America and the Military Coalition.

Tester and Rubio’s amendment by les_braswell5524