Reschenthaler Supports Historic Pay Raise for Servicemembers
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Chief Deputy Whip Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA) released the following statement after the House passed the Senate Amendment to H.R. 5009 – Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025:
“During this critical time in history, we must ensure our military heroes have the resources necessary to protect and defend our nation. This year’s NDAA completes that objective by enacting a historic 14.5 percent pay raise for junior enlisted servicemembers while also providing better access to housing, medical care, and child care.
The last four years under the Biden-Harris Administration’s incompetence has emboldened our adversaries, enflamed and created conflicts across the globe, and endangered the lives of our servicemembers. As a Navy veteran, I will not stand by as liberal leadership destroys our Armed Forces and our nation’s future.
The sake of our country’s future success relies on the men and women entrusted with protecting our freedoms. I’m proud to support this year’s defense bill which puts both our heroes and America first.”
Specifically, this legislation:
- Authorizes a 14.5 percent pay raise for junior enlisted servicemembers and supports a 4.5 percent pay raise for all other servicemembers.
- Authorizes $15.6 billion for the Pacific Deterrence Initiative to enhance U.S. deterrence and defense posture in the Indo-Pacific region.
- Declares that it is the policy of the United States to ensure Israel has adequate capability to defend itself against Iran, Hamas, and Hezbollah.
- Permanently bans the Department of Defense (DoD) from providing transgender medical treatments on minors.
- Prohibits funding for the teaching, training, or promotion of CRT in the military, including at service academies and DoD schools.
- Fully funds deployment of National Guard troops in support of Border Patrol activities at the southwest border.
Initiatives led by Reschenthaler were included in the bill, including:
- Prohibiting DoD funds for the Wuhan Institute of Virology, EcoHealth Alliance, any organization controlled by the EcoHealth Alliance, and any individual or organization subgrantee or subcontractor of EcoHealth.
- Prohibiting any travel or transportation under the Joint Travel Regulations to require such travel to be in a zero-emission vehicle.
Read the full bill here.