Rep. Burchett to Newsmax: We Need to ‘Do Better as Taxpayers’

Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., told Newsmax Thursday he is frustrated that the new defense authorization bill contains billions in wasteful spending.

Lawmakers voted Wednesday after fraught negotiations to move forward with a 2025 defense budget that raises troops’ pay but blocks funding of gender transition care for some transgender children of service members.

The centerpiece of the $884 billion National Defense Authorization Act — which was green-lit by the Republican-led House but still needs Senate approval — is a 14.5% pay increase for junior enlisted service members and 4.5% for other personnel.