House panel vows massive boost to enlisted military pay amid recruiting crisis Enlisted troops could see an unprecedented bump to their base pay in the coming years under a plan Congress unveiled Thursday that could help recruiting and retention. The plan is the result of more than a year of study and back-and-forth with military leaders and advocates to get to the root of pervasive… Read more »

Congressional panel makes push for better military pay, healthcare, housing A congressional panel tasked with reviewing quality of life for United States service members released a report Thursday making an array of recommendations to improve pay, child care, housing, access to medical care and spouse… Read more »

‘A game-changer’: House panel outlines quality-of-life improvements for troops for 2025 defense bill Read more at: https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2024-04-12/house-lawmakers-ndaa-military-pay-child-care-barracks-13539152.html A 15% pay raise for junior enlisted service members. No more referrals for physical therapy, optometry, women’s health and other specialties. A basic… Read more »

Nebraska Rep. Bacon's House panel seeks 15% military enlisted pay boost, higher housing allowance A congressional panel led by Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., is seeking sweeping quality-of-life improvements for military service members and their families, including bigger housing allowances, beefed-up child care and a 15% pay raise for junior enlisted… Read more »

Quality of Life Panel Report Includes Several Key MOAA Advocacy Priorities MOAA’s fight to restore a 100% housing allowance for military families received a significant boost April 11, with a new, bipartisan House panel championing the cause as part of its recommendations for the FY 2025 National Defense Authorization… Read more »

Air Force Vice Chief: Base Infrastructure on ‘Hospice Care,’ but Privatization Can Help "The military had underfunded dorms for a decade, but Congress was under the impression they were fully funded," Bacon said. https://www.airandspaceforces.com/air-force-slife-base-infrastructure/ Read more »

Neb. 2nd District Rep. Don Bacon joined Mn. Rep. Tom Emmer along with 52 House Republican colleagues in cosponsoring the Firearm Due Process Protection Act. This legislation will provide law-abiding Americans their second amendment protection from being improperly denied purchasing a firearm. “All law-abiding American should have access to purchasing a firearm and know that their… Read more »

At Hillcrest Health Services around 100 vets and military spouses were honored for their service. "I think we do a great job of that now. Back in the 60s and 70s, we didn't do a great job of that. And so, it's really made up for some of that the lack of recognition that we've done in the past," Hillcrest CEO Dr. Tony Hatcher said. Offutt Air Force Base's honor guard performed the… Read more »

For over a month, House Speaker Mike Johnson has sat on a funding package that would send desperately needed ammunition and weaponry to Ukraine, mulling how best to gain a grasp of what is expected to be a difficult lift in the House. The Republican speaker has indicated he will attempt to push for approval of tens of billions in wartime funding for Ukraine, as well as Israel, once the… Read more »

When Republicans took control of the House last year with almost the thinnest of majorities, all eyes turned to the House Freedom Caucus. The loose group of 30-some ultraconservative lawmakers outnumbered the narrow vote margin for Republicans and, as a result, were granted new outsized leverage over leadership to cater to their whims. From the start, it appeared the Freedom Caucus and… Read more »