President Donald Trump’s new $4.1 trillion budget calls for a 2.1-percent pay raise for military personnel for the fiscal year of 2018, according to budget documents released by by the Pentagon on Tuesday.
The pay raise was the same increase service members received for fiscal year 2017. Former President Barack Obama called for a 1.6-percent increase for the upcoming fiscal year beginning October 1.
The pay increase would mean enlisted service members with four years of service would make an additional $50 a month, while officers with six years in uniform would receive an additional $115 a month.
According to the Pentagon’s spending plan, private sector wages would increase by 2.4 percent, while the Defense Department’s civilian employees would see a 1.9-percent increase.
The Defense Department baseline budget proposal of $603 billion for fiscal year 2018 calls for an increase in troops, as well as an investment in new weaponry.
The budget calls for 4,000 additional sailors for the Navy and 4,000 airmen for the Air Force.
Sen. John Cornyn (D-Texas) said the proposal would be “dead on arrival” in Congress. Trump’s $4.1 trillion budget slashes safety net programs for low-income families, including programs such as Medicaid and food stamps.
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