Expressing the Sense of Congress that Basic Pay for Members of Armed Forces Should Be Increased

EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF CONGRESS THAT BASIC PAY FOR MEMBERS OF ARMED FORCES SHOULD BE INCREASED -- (House of Representatives - November 06, 2007)

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Mr. DONNELLY. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House Resolution 162, which reemphasizes our support for giving a pay raise for our Armed Forces this year.

This administration insisted in its defense budget request that military servicemembers should get no more than a 3 percent increase. However, in May, the House passed a needed 3.5 percent across-the-board increase in pay for our brave men and women. Unfortunately, the administration has deemed this extra half point unnecessary.

I strongly disagree with this assessment. And I can tell you that our servicemembers who defend this country both at home and abroad don't find this increase unnecessary. For a young soldier who may be earning $20,000 a year, that extra half percent totals $100, but that $100 could make all the difference in the world when that soldier has bills to pay and a family to take care of.

I believe America's servicemembers deserve this extra half percent increase. They put their lives on the line for us daily, for which we can never fully repay them for their service, but a 3.5 percent salary increase is a good start; and it is a small token of this Nation's gratitude.

Passing this resolution sends a strong message that this increase is not only the necessary thing to do, but it's the right thing to do as well.

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