[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 8]
[House]
[Page 11001]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1030
              H.R. 2027, THE MILITARY PAY IMPROVEMENT ACT

  (Mr. BILIRAKIS asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, under current law, military pay rates 
must be reasonably comparable to those in the private sector with 
similar skills, education, and experience.
  Unfortunately, due to budgetary constraints over the years, the 
military pay increase has not always met this criteria and a ``pay 
gap'' was created. This gap is not only unfair to our brave men and 
women in uniform. It also has raised retention and readiness concerns.
  For this reason, I have introduced H.R. 2027, the Military Pay 
Improvement Act, which would give them a minimum 3.5 percent pay raise.
  Our Nation's brave men and women in uniform have fought gallantly to 
ensure the continued safety, security, and prosperity of this great 
Nation. I believe it is unacceptable that we task these men and women 
with extraordinary responsibilities especially, during wartime, and 
cannot compensate them accordingly. The debt we owe them for their 
sacrifices can never be repaid. However, my bill will take a small step 
in the right direction to show our appreciation for their valor.
  I urge all my colleagues to cosponsor the bill.

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