Senate Defense bill to raise military pay by 3.4 percent

The Senate Armed Services Committee plans to approve a fiscal 2010 defense authorization bill that includes a 3.4 percent pay raise for military personnel, a half-percent higher than requested by the Obama administration, a Senate source said Tuesday.

Armed Services subcommittee markups of the measure began Tuesday, with the full committee scheduled to begin working on the bill this afternoon.

Senators declined to comment on the details of the bill, which they always mark up in secret sessions. But it appeared that many of the amendments likely to generate controversy, such as those funding such weapons systems as the F-22 Raptor fighter jet, would be considered by the full committee.

Armed Services Chairman Carl Levin, D-Mich., said the bill closely resembles the Pentagon's request but acknowledged there will be differences in some areas.

"Mainly the mark, I would say, incorporates the administration's request, but there are some exceptions," Levin said, declining to comment further.

The House, whose defense authorization bill also includes a 3.4 percent pay raise, is expected to begin debate on the measure Tuesday.