The provision could impose higher TRICARE enrollment fees and deductibles on more than 1 million military retirees under age 65.

Two programs beginning next year will provide key training and education for veterans interested in STEM and high-technology careers.

Defense Department officials have told Congress they conditionally support opening on-base shopping to disabled veterans, Purple Heart recipients and caregivers of severely injured veterans — changes to current law that would add at least a few hundred thousand weekly shoppers to commissaries and exchanges nationwide.