Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) says that the Pentagon plan to raise Tricare fees for military retirees under age 65 must consider “what’s right, what’s fair,” but he believes the retirees must pay more than they are currently. However, Graham told Pentagon officials at a hearing last week that he thinks the “two extremes are going to be rejected.” On one hand is the “major league fee increase” being floated by the Pentagon, says Graham, and, on the other is the idea that “there’s never going to be an increase.”
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.