US Federal 2023-2024 Regular Session

US Federal House Bill HB2591

Introduced
4/13/23  

Caption

RAISE Minimum Base Pay Act Raising the Annual Income of Servicemembers by Enhancing Minimum Base Pay Act

Impact

If enacted, HB 2591 would amend existing military pay structures by establishing a new baseline for compensation that accounts for inflation and the financial challenges often faced by military families. This legislation reflects an effort to ensure that servicemembers receive a fair compensation for their service, which is increasingly critical as military personnel confront rising expenses in housing, healthcare, and other essential living costs. The adjustments under this act would potentially impact thousands of servicemembers across all branches of the Armed Forces.

Summary

House Bill 2591, titled the Raising the Annual Income of Servicemembers by Enhancing Minimum Base Pay Act, aims to increase the minimum basic pay for members of the Armed Forces. Specifically, the bill proposes that, within 30 days of its enactment, the basic pay for service members must be set at a minimum of $31,200. This increase is intended to better align military compensation with the rising cost of living and provide financial support to those serving in the military.

Contention

The discussion surrounding HB 2591 may evoke various responses in the legislative arena, particularly in terms of funding and budget allocation. While many supporters argue that enhancing pay for servicemembers is a moral obligation and necessary for the welfare of military personnel, opponents may raise concerns regarding the fiscal implications. There may be debates on how this bill fits into the larger context of military funding priorities and whether such increases can be sustained without affecting other defense budget areas.

Companion Bills

US HB161

Related Prioritizing Troops Over Tax Collectors Act of 2023 This bill establishes the rate of basic pay for a member of the uniformed services at the minimum amount of $31,200. It transfers unobligated amounts made available to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 for enforcement activities to pay for the increase in basic pay. The bill also prohibits the IRS from hiring additional employees until the increase in the rate of basic pay is implemented.

Previously Filed As

US HB161

Prioritizing Troops Over Tax Collectors Act of 2023 This bill establishes the rate of basic pay for a member of the uniformed services at the minimum amount of $31,200. It transfers unobligated amounts made available to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 for enforcement activities to pay for the increase in basic pay. The bill also prohibits the IRS from hiring additional employees until the increase in the rate of basic pay is implemented.

US HB122

Original Living Wage Act This bill increases the federal minimum wage to the minimum hourly wage sufficient for a person working for 40 hours per week, 52 weeks per year, to earn an annual income 25.5% higher than the federal poverty threshold for a four-person household, with two children under age 18, and living in the 48 contiguous states. (Under current poverty thresholds, the national minimum wage would be set at approximately $15.64 per hour.) The Department of Labor must determine the minimum wage rate by June 1, 2023, and review it every four years. Labor may not adjust the minimum wage to a lower rate.

US HB3387

ETS Act Enhancing the Transitioning Servicemember’s Experience Act

US HB265

No Vote, No Raise Act This bill eliminates automatic pay adjustments for Members of Congress.

US HB190

Saving Gig Economy Taxpayers Act This bill modifies requirements for third party settlement organizations to eliminate their reporting requirement with respect to the transactions of their participating payees unless they have earned more than $20,000 on more than 200 separate transactions in an applicable tax period. A third party settlement organization is the central organization that has the contractual obligation to make payments to participating payees (generally, a merchant or business) in a third party payment network. This reverses a provision in the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 that lowered the reporting threshold to $600 with no minimum on the number of transactions.

US HB227

Federal Employee Combat Zone Tax Parity Act This bill excludes from gross income, for income tax purposes, the compensation of a federal employee who served in a combat zone or was hospitalized as a result of wounds, disease, or injury incurred while serving in a combat zone. The bill terminates the exclusion two years after the end of combatant activities in such zone.

US HB06385

An Act Raising The Minimum Age For Arrest.

US HB5758

Enhancing Faith-Based Support for Veterans Act of 2025

US HB252

Inflation Prevention Act of 2023 This bill establishes a point of order that, when the annualized rate of inflation exceeds 4.5%, prohibits the House and Senate from considering legislation that provides new budget authority and is estimated to increase the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers. The prohibition may be waived in the Senate by an affirmative vote of three-fifths of the Senate.

US HB37

David Dorn Act of 2023 This bill increases criminal penalties for rioting and related offenses (e.g., inciting a riot). Specifically, the bill increases the maximum prison term from 5 to 10 years. Additionally, if a fine is imposed for an offense, the bill sets a minimum fine amount of $1,000.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.