Increase maximum authorized hostile fire and imminent danger pay, plus aviation incentive pays and bonuses, to support retention in critical specialties.

Increases maximum authorized amounts for hostile fire and imminent danger pay, as well as aviation incentive pays and bonuses, to better recognize operational demands and support retention in critical specialties.

Boosts military hazard pay and related bonuses.

fy2027_ndaa_exsum.pdf
primary · other · model gpt-5.4-mini

Current law authorizes aviation incentive pay up to $1,500 per month and an aviation bonus up to $50,000 for each 12-month obligated-service period. The amendment notes say Pub. L. 117-263 in 2022 substituted $1,500 for $1,000 and $50,000 for $35,000; Pub. L. 114-328 in 2016 had earlier set $1,000 and $35,000 maximums.

The aviation incentive pay and aviation bonus portion was increased, first during Ernst's first Senate term and again in her later Senate service. This supports only partial delivery because the hostile fire/imminent danger pay piece remains separate.

partial same_term

37 USC 334: Special aviation incentive pay and bonus authorities for officers
secondary · model gpt-5.5 · confidence 93%

Section 616, titled 'Aviation incentive pay and bonus matters,' amended 37 U.S.C. 334(c)(1) so aviation incentive pay could be paid at a monthly rate not to exceed $1,000 and an aviation bonus could not exceed $35,000 for each 12-month period of obligated service. It also required a business case analysis to address anticipated manning shortfalls by aircraft type category.

The FY2017 NDAA delivered a concrete aviation-pay increase tied to retention and manning shortfalls during Ernst's first Senate term, but it did not increase hostile fire/imminent danger pay.

partial same_term A for effort

Public Law 114-328, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017
secondary · model gpt-5.5 · confidence 92%

The Senate agreed to the conference report for S. 2943, the FY2017 National Defense Authorization Act, by 92-7. The roll call lists Ernst (R-IA) as voting Yea.

Ernst took concrete legislative action by voting for the FY2017 NDAA that contained the aviation incentive pay and aviation bonus increase.

partial same_term A for effort

U.S. Senate Roll Call Vote 114th Congress, 2nd Session, Vote 159
secondary · model gpt-5.5 · confidence 95%

The Senate agreed to the motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 7776 by 83-11. The roll call lists Ernst (R-IA) as voting Yea.

Ernst later voted for the FY2023 NDAA, which current U.S. Code amendment notes identify as the law raising aviation incentive pay from $1,000 to $1,500 and aviation bonuses from $35,000 to $50,000.

partial later_term A for effort

U.S. Senate Roll Call Vote 117th Congress, 2nd Session, Vote 396
secondary · model gpt-5.5 · confidence 90%

Current law states that the maximum monthly amount of hostile fire or imminent danger special pay is $225. The amendment history shows the $225 increase came from pre-Ernst laws, including Pub. L. 108-375 effective January 1, 2006, with no later increase shown in the current section.

As of the latest available U.S. Code text in the lookback window, the hostile fire/imminent danger pay maximum has not been increased during Ernst's federal service. This prevents full delivery of the commitment.

never unknown

37 USC 310: Special pay: duty subject to hostile fire or imminent danger
secondary · model gpt-5.5 · confidence 94%

DoD's military compensation page says Hostile Fire Pay is a monthly rate of $225 and Imminent Danger Pay is a monthly rate of $225, with members not receiving HFP and IDP simultaneously.

DoD's current pay guidance confirms the hostile fire/imminent danger pay rate remains $225, reinforcing that this component of the promise is still undelivered even though aviation pays were increased.

never unknown

Military Compensation and Financial Readiness: Hazardous Duty Incentive Pay
secondary · model gpt-5.5 · confidence 91%