House panel approves pay raise for troops

The House Armed Services Committee approved a bill early Thursday that authorizes $601.4 billion in defense spending for next year, including a 3.9 percent pay raise for troops.

The pay increase and other service benefits included in the bill _ such as a prohibition on increased health care fees _ is more than President Bush wants. But it is in synch with a broader election-year effort by lawmakers to boost benefits for service members and veterans.

The legislation also would restrict U.S. reconstruction spending in Iraq unless Baghdad spends more of its own money, although the bill would allow Bush to waive the requirement. Read more