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![U.S. Rep. Rob Wittman, a Virginia Republican, listens to a fellow representative April 9, 2024, at the Sea-Air-Space naval conference.](https://www.militarytimes.com/resizer/v2/YNKMB2PZFBGIVPQ6CCMJXZISUI.jpg?auth=7bee9022427a1b1b7c4ea2bccd4cd595a08be88d4f1babb279e249fe575794b7&width=6016&height=4016)
Expect a $833B defense budget for FY25, but not on time, lawmaker says
Rep. Rob Wittman said he expects a short-term budget deal for federal spending to be finalized before the end of the month.
House defense bill would undo Pentagon’s abortion travel policy
The benefit in question provides reimbursement of travels costs to get access to otherwise noncovered reproductive health care services.
GOP green lights FY25 defense bill, but more social fights ahead
Abortion, diversity training and COVID prevention are again hot-button issues in the military appropriations plan for next year.
Junior enlisted pay bump to cost as much as two new aircraft carriers
A plan to boost young troops' pay by an extra 15% next year will cost more than $24 billion over the next five years, officials said.
Defense spending bill forces Israel arms transfers, nixes Ukraine aid
The House moved its first draft of the FY25 defense spending bill, pushing back on President Biden's Israel arms transfer hold and excluding Ukraine aid.
Enlisted pay raise, abortion ban included in panel’s defense budget
The annual defense appropriations bill would give all troops a 4.5% pay raise in 2025, with some enlisted troops getting a boost of nearly 20%.
Biden threatens VA budget veto over abortion, gender-affirming care
The White House is opposed to a Republican-backed VA budget plan that is expected to be advanced this week.
House lawmakers moving ahead on defense, VA budget bills
Defense and veterans hearings for the week of June 3, 2024.
Powerful GOP senator eyes ships, jets, nukes in defense spending surge
Sen. Wicker's plan lays out an additional $55 billion above FY25 defense spending caps.
House advances $884 billion defense bill with enlisted troop pay raise
In addition to the enlisted pay raise, the bill pushes back against F-35 procurement as lawmakers bash Lockheed Martin over the troubled program.
Opinion
For F-35, Congress must heed history
America stands at a crossroads with the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, retired Air Force Gen. Philip Breedlove argues.
By Gen. Philip Breedlove, Air Force (Ret.)