Escobar Votes for FY 2026 Defense Bill, Including Pay Raise for Servicemembers and Fort Bliss Support
U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar voted to pass the Fiscal Year 2026 Department of Defense funding bill on January 22, which is part of a larger appropriations package.
The bill includes a 3.8% pay raise for all servicemembers and aims to reduce the frequency of permanent change of station moves for military families. Key allocations include $41.8 billion for medical programs, an increase of $1.7 billion for medical research, and $47 million for the Sexual Assault Special Victims' Counsel Program.
The bill also enhances the Defense Community Infrastructure Program by $30 million, supporting El Paso and Fort Bliss. Additionally, it mandates a report on water damage repairs at William Beaumont Army Medical Center and outlines funding for various defense technologies and programs, totaling $145.9 billion for scientific research and development.
