The defense authorization bill, which directs Pentagon policy, provides a 14.5% pay raise for junior enlisted service members and a 4.5% increase for others.

President Biden on Monday signed into law a defense bill that authorizes significant pay raises for junior enlisted service members, aims to counter China's growing power and boosts overall military spending to $895 billion despite his objections to language stripping coverage of transgender medical treatments for children in military families.

The bill also increases the income eligibility threshold for the basic needs allowance to 200% of federal poverty guidelines.

A massive raise for junior enlisted troops next year and a ban on some health care for transgender children of service members are now law after President Joe Biden signed the annual defense policy bill on Monday.

President Biden on Monday evening signed the $895 billion Defense authorization bill, despite a provision included in the massive package that restricts transgender care. The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) passed in the Senate 85-14,

The annual defense bill directing $895 billion toward the Pentagon and other military programs would deny transgender health coverage to minors. It now heads to President Biden’s desk.

President Joe Biden signed the $895 billion National Defense Authorization bill into law even though it included a package that limited transgender care.