Rep. Buck McKeon (R-Calif.), House Armed Services Committee ranking member since 2009, announced he “is seeking the chairmanship of the committee” when the Republicans take control the House in January. McKeon said his priorities for the next Congress, the 112th, are: ensuring deployed troops have the equipment and resources they need to be successful; building on the committee’s strong bipartisan tradition to support military personnel and their families; and investing in the necessary capabilities and force structure, “while mandating fiscal responsibility, accountability, and transparency” from the Pentagon. He said there is still work to be done this year during the lame-duck session. Republicans, he noted, “are committed” to passing a defense authorization bill for Fiscal 2011 “that is not weighed down by the current majority’s social agenda items.” Speaking of the authorization bill, read Money Talk.
Pentagon Releases Cost of Living, BAH Rates for 2026
Dec. 30, 2025
The Pentagon will pay cost of living allowances to 127,000 service members in the continental U.S. in 2026, an increase of 66,000 members in 2025. Airmen and Guardians across the U.S. will also receive an average increase of 4.2 percent for their Basic Housing Allowance, compared to the 5.4 percent…
