Stars and Stripes reports that “the House pushed ahead Wednesday with a vote to preserve troop pay raises and benefits over the coming year despite dire budget warnings from military leadership that not making cuts will harm readiness.”  

“The House Armed Services Committee passed a 2015 military personnel budget that rejected the Department of Defense’s proposals to cap troop pay raises at 1 percent and slash the costs of base supermarkets, housing allowances and health care.”  

“Military brass has warned it needs the reforms to fund a force that’s equipped and ready to fight. But in a marathon debate and amendment session, House lawmakers worked up a draft version of the nation’s defense budget that maintains the slate of benefits and wrings funding out of some ship, aircraft and construction programs.”