Stars and Stripes reports that “troops will see smaller pay raises and housing and health care benefits next year under a defense budget agreement unveiled Tuesday in Congress.”  

“Lawmakers agreed to White House and Pentagon requests to reduce personnel and equipment costs by capping pay raises at 1 percent, slowing housing allowance increases, and ratcheting up Tricare prescription copays. The Air Force will not be able to retire the A-10 Thunderbolt but was given authority to reduce its flying time.”  

“The compromise breaks a months-long impasse on Capitol Hill over the benefits. Now, the bill must be fast-tracked and passed in the House and Senate without any amendments, which sponsors hope can be done by next week before Congress wraps up business for the year.”