Panel Approves Troop Reductions, Not Benefit Cuts

Source: military.com

A House subcommittee on military personnel is backing the Pentagon's request for troop cuts next year but is not on board with making retirees pay more for healthcare.

Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., chairman of the House Subcommittee on Military Personnel, said any changes to retirement or healthcare benefits needs to wait until the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission submits a report next February.

For that same reason the subcommittee's budget also does not include a Pentagon requested cut in basic allowance for housing, or BAH, which Wilson said would translate into a 5 percent increase in housing costs for service members.

Even where the subcommittee conceded to the Defense Department's request to reduce end strength of the forces, it was not without "serious reservations," Wilson said.

"America remains at war today and will continue at some level of persistent conflict globally with a ruthless and committed enemy for the foreseeable future," he said.

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