Defense authorization bill in limbo in Congress

Republican and Democratic leaders in the Senate are still debating the 2011 defense authorization bill, but the lame-duck Congress may put off a vote until next...

The fate of military recruiting and retention bonuses, special pays, and incentive bonuses is still up in the air.

Republican and Democratic leaders in the Senate are still debating the 2011 defense authorization bill, but this lame-duck Congress may put off a vote on the Bill until next year.

Part of the reason for that, reported in the Navy Times, is that Congress may be reluctant to take on some difficult issues.

In the House, the charge against passing a 2011 defense bill this session is being lead by Republican Joe Wilson of South Carolina. He’s expected to lead the panel that will oversee military personnel issues next year.

According to the Times, Wilson doesn’t want the bill passed because it’s full of provisions he doesn’t support, like repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”, lifting a ban on elective abortions in military hospitals, and a change in immigration laws that give illegal aliens legal residency if they serve two years in the military or attend college.

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