Senate approves higher military pay raise

Military personnel would get a 3.6 percent pay raise in 1999 under a proposal approved by the Senate Thursday.

The Senate's proposed raise--part of the 1999 Defense appropriations bill--is higher than the 3.1 percent raise the House approved for service members in its version of the bill last month. The Senate's version of the appropriations bill originally had set a 3.1 percent raise, but an amendment to the bill boosted it to 3.6 percent.

The House version of the 1999 Defense authorization bill allows for a 3.6 percent raise, but the Senate version of the authorization bill sets the raise at 3.1 percent.

The different versions of the bills will be reconciled in conference committee.

Raises will take effect the first pay period of January 1999. President Clinton originally proposed a 3.1 percent raise for both service members and civilians, but the Senate action gives hope to both groups that a higher raise may be in store.

The Senate version of the bill, approved 97-2, also calls for a study of food stamp assistance to military families and a comprehensive evaluation of TRICARE, the military health care program.