Military pay is enhanced through the passing of a house defense bill, while also raising the family separation allowance.
The House Armed Services Committee's 2026 defense policy bill proposes significant changes to the Defense Department's acquisition process, with the aim of streamlining and modernizing the system. The proposed reforms, outlined in the Streamlining Procurement for Effective Execution and Delivery (SPEED) Act, aim to cut red tape, eliminate bureaucratic hurdles, and speed up development and production timelines [1][3][5].
The reform focuses on breaking down bureaucracy and outdated methods in the Defense Acquisition System, streamlining the decision-making process, prioritizing innovation, technology, and modernization, and allocating significant funding for research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) activities [3]. The bill also encourages collaboration with Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority Serving Institutions through targeted funding.
The bill's proposed acquisition reform aligns with broader goals to make the acquisition process more agile, reduce administrative complexity, and ensure the Defense Department can rapidly respond to emerging national security challenges with enhanced operational readiness [1][2].
In addition to the acquisition reform, the bill proposes several other changes. The family separation allowance is increased by 60% to $400 per month, and a new pilot program on child care worker compensation is requested [2]. The bill also includes a provision to expand an Army pilot program across all military services for easier access to food in unaccompanied housing [2].
The House and Senate versions of the 2026 defense policy bill must be reconciled, and lawmakers will need to pass a separate appropriations bill to fund the defense legislation [4]. The House and Senate are proposing different total funding levels for the Pentagon, with the House requesting $848 billion and the Senate $878.7 billion [2].
The RAND Corporation found that the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rate-setting methodology "does not appear resilient to rapid and dramatic changes in the housing market" [6]. As a result, the House lawmakers want the Defense Department to conduct a study exploring new ways to calculate the Basic Allowance for Housing rate [2].
The bill also makes it easier for service members and their families to qualify for the basic needs allowance and lowers the travel reimbursement threshold for specialty care appointments from 100 miles to 50 miles [2]. The bill excludes the basic allowance for housing from income calculations, and mental health services are expanded to better support the Cyber Mission Force [2].
Two pilot programs are authorized to expand obstetrical and gynecological care for TRICARE beneficiaries, and the Child Care in Your Home Pilot Program is extended through December 31, 2029 [2].
Sources: [1][2][3][4][5][6]
- The reformed acquisition process in the defense bill prioritizes innovation, technology, and modernization, aiming to align with the advancements witnessed in sports and other technology-driven industries.
- To ensure the Defense Department's operational readiness matches that of modern sports teams, the bill proposes the allocation of significant funding for research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) activities in technological advancements.
