(Warwick, R.I.)–Congressman Jim Langevin, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, today announced his strong opposition to a Pentagon savings plan that would rescind danger pay bonuses and monthly family separation allowances for American military forces serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.  The Pentagon included the recommendation as part of a recent budget update to Congress.

Langevin today pledged his support to reverse the Pentagon proposal through legislation that would provide full funding for danger pay bonuses and family separation allowances.

 “Each day, servicemen and women are gunned down in danger zones such as Iraq and Afghanistan,” said Congressman Langevin.  “This kind of proposal sends exactly the wrong message as our men and women in uniform, some of whom are Rhode Islanders, face grave danger each and every day.  The very least the Pentagon can do is provide them with pre-approved danger pay bonuses and family separation allowances.”

 The House-passed National Defense Authorization Act, which Langevin voted in favor of, authorizes an increase in imminent danger pay from $150 to $225 a month, and increases the family separation allowance from $100 to $250 in any combat zone designated for military operations in Iraq or Afghanistan.  In an effort to trim expenditures, the Pentagon has proposed to rescind this well-deserved increase.

 “I am appalled that the military brass would display such arrogance as our troops continue to endure 120 degree temperatures and constant threats from rogue Iraqis,” added Langevin.  “There are other ways the government can save money, but sadly, our troops could lose hard-earned compensation so that the wealthy may enjoy greater tax breaks.”

The Fiscal Year 2003 Emergency Wartime Supplemental Appropriations Act increased hazardous duty and hostile fire pay from $150 monthly to $225 and the family separation allowance from $100 monthly to $250 until September 30, 2003. The House version of the FY 2004 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) would continue these higher amounts in FY 2004 for those personnel deployed in and around Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom and in and around Iraq as part of Iraqi Freedom. 

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