US President Joe Biden signed $858 billion into law on Friday, December 23 which increases the pay item for members of the Armed Forces and revokes the military mandate for the vaccine against covid-19, in force since August 2021.
The country’s Senate approved the annual defense policy bill last week that authorizes $817 billion in total funding for the Department of Defense, with the remainder being smaller items to fight inflation, as well as ease military construction and fuel purchase.
“The law implies a 4.6 percent wage increase for military personnel and includes $45 billion more than initially required to offset the effects of inflation and accelerate implementation of the national defense strategy,” reads the statement from the Department of Defense.
Similarly, the law clarifies Washington’s commitment to NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) in the context of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, as it includes an increase in aid for Kiev, as well as a new program to provide security assistance to Taiwan.
However, the Biden administration had to give in to the Republican request to revoke the military mandate of the covid-19 vaccine and President Joe Biden himself had previously assured that some provisions of the law “raise concerns”.
Before its repeal, several Administration officials criticized the Republican demands and said the measure undermines health. Although the Democrats have finally given the “green light” to the bill due to high vaccination rates within the armed forces, according to the US president.
More benefits for the US military
Immigrants who have joined the US military cannot be deported, according to a bill passed by that country’s House of Representatives.
The rule limits the ability of men in uniform who have served in U.S. troops be repatriated to their territories while they continue the process of regularizing their situation.
Although the initiative has yet to be approved in the Senate, in the Chamber it obtained 220 votes in favor and 208 against. The project is important because it addresses one of the most important issues and that It is related to the status of those who have been members of the Armed Forces. (veterans) of the United States and which have not yet been nationalized in that country.
According to the text, whether a noncitizen veteran may be eligible for lawful permanent resident status. Additionally, you must have “a reasonable opportunity” to apply and cannot be removed until the authorities make a final administrative decision on your eligibility.
Equally, the law extends some deadlines for obtaining citizenship after serving in the Armed Forces.
*With information from Europa Press
