Wilson Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Raise Military Pay by 3.4 Percent

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 2, 2009

Congressman Joe Wilson (SC-02), Ranking Member of the Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel, issued the following statement today after introducing H.R.1864, bipartisan legislation to raise basic military pay by 3.4 percent. Under the President’s budget, basic pay would only be increased by the 2.9 percent required by law.

“Our military deserve just recognition for the extraordinary and courageous work they do to protect American families by defeating terrorists overseas,” said Rep. Wilson. “For the benefit of our military personnel as well as their families, this increase would help close the gap between civilian and military pay. I look forward to working with my colleagues as we honor the tremendous sacrifice made by our brave soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen.”

“This is a time when our military is deployed around the world protecting America and our allies,” said Armed Services Committee Ranking Member John M. McHugh. “I commend Congressman Wilson for introducing this legislation and working to ensure we keep our commitment to America’s military personnel and their families.”

In addition to Rep. Wilson, the following Members of Congress signed onto the legislation as co-sponsors:

Rep John H. Adler [D-NJ]
Rep W. Todd Akin [R-MO]
Rep Roscoe G. Bartlett, [R-MD]
Rep Judy Biggert [R-IL]
Rep Gus M. Bilirakis [R-FL]
Rep Marsha Blackburn [R-TN]
Rep John A. Boehner [R-OH]
Rep Paul C. Broun [R-GA]
Rep Ginny Brown-Waite [R-FL]
Rep Eric Cantor [R-VA]
Rep Jason Chaffetz [R-UT]
Rep K. Michael Conaway [R-TX]
Rep Geoff Davis [R-KY]
Rep Mary Fallin [R-OK]
Rep John Fleming [R-LA]
Rep J. Randy Forbes [R-VA]
Rep Trent Franks [R-AZ]
Rep Gregg Harper [R-MS]
Rep Dean Heller [R-NV]
Rep Duncan D. Hunter [R-CA]
Rep Timothy V. Johnson [R-IL]
Rep Walter B. Jones, Jr. [R-NC]
Rep John Kline [R-MN]
Rep Doug Lamborn [R-CO]
Rep Frank A. LoBiondo [R-NJ]
Rep Blaine Luetkemeyer [R-MO]
Rep Eric J. J. Massa [D-NY]
Rep John M. McHugh [R-NY]
Rep Cathy McMorris Rodgers [R-WA]
Rep Jeff Miller [R-FL]
Rep Glenn C. Nye, III [D-VA]
Rep Pete Olson [R-TX]
Rep Ed Pastor [D-AZ]
Rep Tom Price [R-GA]
Rep David G. Reicher, [R-WA]
Rep Ciro D. Rodriguez [D-TX]
Rep Mike J. Rogers [R-MI]
Rep Thomas J. Rooney [R-FL]
Rep Ileana Ros-Lehtinen [R-FL]
Rep John B. Shadegg [R-AZ]
Rep Bill Shuster [R-PA]
Rep Robert J. Wittman [R-VA]

###