By MOAA Government Relations Staff

Servicemembers are poised to receive a 3.8% pay increase in FY 2026 under the draft defense appropriations bill advanced by the House Appropriations Committee’s defense subcommittee – one of several troop-focused provisions in the measure underscoring bipartisan support for protecting military personnel and their families amid budget uncertainty.

Advancing Without a Full Budget

The subcommittee made its recommendations despite a critical missing piece: the president’s full budget request. The administration has yet to submit detailed justification materials for DoD, leaving lawmakers to make funding decisions without a complete fiscal picture.

In its report accompanying the legislation, the committee noted that this lack of information hampered its ability to scrutinize program execution and spending plans. Nonetheless, the House is moving forward with key measures for military families.

Personnel Impacts: Pay, PCS, and Beyond

The proposed 3.8% raise for military pay matches the administration’s request and continues enhanced raises for junior enlisted members, a MOAA priority tied to improving retention and providing more competitive compensation for young families.

At the same time, the committee imposed a $660 million cut to PCS travel funding. This could limit servicemember mobility across the force and constrain military career progression if the services are forced to reduce or delay moves. A required report within 90 days will assess how these cuts affect quality of life and readiness.

To safeguard stability during times of legislative gridlock, the bill also ensures military and civilian salaries will continue to be paid during continuing resolutions through FY 2028.

[RELATED: What’s in the Senate Defense Package, and What it Could Mean for Your Benefits]

Addressing Health Care and Readiness

The bill directs the Defense Health Agency to brief Congress on the TRICARE T-5 transition, following widespread concerns about patient experience and provider reimbursement connected to the contractor changeover at the start of the year.

Concerns about military medical billet cuts and access to care persist. The bill requires the services and DHA to report quarterly on health care staffing shortfalls, which echoes concerns MOAA and other stakeholders have relayed for years. The House action shows lawmakers are listening to our calls for accountability and improved care availability.

Family-Focused Provisions Reflect Broader Commitment

The House bill also offers provisions targeting the broader quality of life for servicemembers and their families. MOAA appreciates the committee’s inclusion of the following:

• Food Security: The committee highlighted the successful efforts of the 62nd Medical Brigade at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., to combat food insecurity by embedding a food pantry at the unit level. Report language includes guidance urging DoD to support other units seeking to emulate the food pantry initiative.
  
  
• Military Spouse Employment: Recognizing the continued high rates of military spouse unemployment, the committee urges DoD to collaborate with the Bureau of Labor Statistics to assess labor market data for military spouses and explore ways to better capture their economic participation through existing surveys.
  
  

[RELATED: Why Better Data Is Key to Solving Military Spouse Unemployment]

• Maternal and Perinatal Care: The bill calls for education and routine screening related to perinatal mental health, and urges scholarship expansion for OB-GYNs and midwives.
  
  

What Happens Next?

While the House has taken its first step, significant hurdles remain. The Senate Appropriations Committee is expected to release its version of the bill before the August recess, which will launch negotiations to reconcile differences between the chambers. However, budget reconciliation remains Congress’ broader fiscal priority, and its timing could delay defense appropriations or force reliance on yet another continuing resolution.

As the process moves forward, MOAA will continue to advocate for funding that protects the health, pay, and readiness of servicemembers and their families. Our community has reason for optimism, but we must remain vigilant.

Stay updated with the latest developments and how they affect your benefits at MOAA.org, and follow MOAA on social media for real-time updates from Capitol Hill.