House Passes $690 Billion Dollar Defense Authorization Bill

The House has passed a $690 billion dollar Defense Authorization bill for 2012. It gives members of the military a 1.6 percent raise, but it also increases TRICARE health care fees for retirees by up to $60 per year. The fee increase is the first for TRICARE in 15 years. The bill also denies annual raises for all federal workers whose job performance is unsatisfactory. Plus, it delays repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell, the policy that banned gays from openly serving. The Senate Armed Services Committee begins crafting its version of the defense bill the week of June 13.