BILL PROVIDES FOR PAYRAISE, MORE BODY ARMOR, AND BLOCKS TRICARE FEE INCREASES

Washington, May 11, 2006 - "This measure establishes the funding blueprint for our national defense, and I am proud that we are providing increased funding to better train and equip our military personnel, increase their pay, and offer more affordable health care for military beneficiaries," stated Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Ocala). The House approved today H.R. 5122, the National Defense Authorization Act, which calls for $512.9 billion in defense spending, including $50 billion for the ongoing War on Terror in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere.

Explained Stearns, "H.R. 5122 authorizes a 2.7% across-the-board payraise for military personnel, an increase of $390 million for more body armor and production of enhanced body armor, and additional funding for up-armored vehicles. Also, this measure blocks the proposed TRICARE Premium and TRICARE Standard fee increases, and it zeroes out copayments for generic and formulary mail-order prescriptions for military beneficiaries. In addition, it provides $789 million to expand the number of National Guard personnel and for improving Guard maintenance operations and training."