>House supports the troops — will the President?

>Nevada’s congressional delegation had an opportunity today to vote on HR 1585 (2008 defense authorization bill). It passed with a resounding 397-27 vote. [rc 373] Reps. Berkley, Porter, and Heller voting in favor. Now the President needs to agree to a 3.5% pay raise for troops, rather than the 3% the White House requested.

“White House budget officials said Wednesday that they oppose any pay raise for members of the Armed Forces above the 3% in their proposal. The House Armed Services Committee is recommending 3.5% that would shrink the gap between civilian and military pay, currently at 3.9%.”

“Bush budget officials said the administration “strongly opposes” both the 3.5 percent raise for 2008 and the follow-on increases, calling extra pay increases “unnecessary.” [Army Times] {emphasis added}