Military benefits dispute snags defense bill

Disagreement within the House and Senate Armed Services committees over benefits for the military is holding up the drafting of a 2015 defense policy, according to a congressional aide with knowledge of the discussions.

House Armed Services Committee Chairman Buck McKeon (R-Calif.) does not want to raise pharmaceutical copays for veterans or lower the allowances that troops get for off-base housing, but the Senate’s version of the legislation does both.

The House passed its 2015 defense policy bill earlier this year, but the Senate is not expected to pass its version. The two committees are informally conferencing their bills, and once there is agreement, the combined legislation will head to the House and Senate floor for a vote.

However, the aide said that the defense bill would not likely be ready anytime soon, due to the disagreement, as well as the preparation work that needs to be done before the bill hits the floor.

Congress recesses on Thursday ahead of Thanksgiving break and will reconvene for eight days before recessing again on Dec. 12.

The defense policy bill is necessary to authorize a program to train and equip Syrian rebels that expires on Dec. 11, among other things.