House passes DoD bill with 3.6 percent raise

The House Thursday night passed a $270 billion defense authorization bill (H.R. 3616) by a 357-60 vote. Among the bill's key provisions:

• Gives military personnel a 3.6 percent pay raise in 1999.
• Requires the armed forces to house and train male and female recruits separately, starting in April 1999.
• Allows military retirees over the age of 65 to enroll in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program.
• Extends drug testing to DoD civilian employees.
• Reduces the department's acquisition workforce by 25,000 in 1999, 25,000 in 2000 and 20,000 in 2001.
• Authorizes the military to assist border patrol agents on the U.S.-Mexico border fighting drug smuggling and illegal immigration.
• Expands the commissary benefits of some reservists and retirees.

One provision notably absent from the authorization bill is Defense Secretary William Cohen's request for two additional base closure rounds. Since Congress is not supporting the proposal, Cohen is considering other options, including scaling down operations at some bases or cutting back funds in other areas.