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Troops in Iraq face pay cut / Pentagon says tough duty bonuses are budget-buster : "The Pentagon wants to cut the pay of its 148,000 U.S. troops in Iraq, who are already contending with guerrilla-style attacks, homesickness and 120- degree-plus heat.

Unless Congress and President Bush take quick action when Congress returns after Labor Day, the uniformed Americans in Iraq and the 9,000 in Afghanistan will lose a pay increase approved last April of $75 a month in 'imminent danger pay' and $150 a month in 'family separation allowances.'

The Defense Department supports the cuts, saying its budget can't sustain the higher payments amid a host of other priorities. But the proposed cuts have stirred anger among military families and veterans' groups and even prompted an editorial attack in the Army Times, a weekly newspaper for military personnel and their families that is seldom so outspoken. "

You'd think that somewhere in the Defense budget they'd be able to find $300M for this. Especially considering that Iraq is costing $4B/month. That they're admitting. But what's worse is this, from later in the article:

WHITE HOUSE DUCKS ISSUE

A White House spokesman referred questions about the administration's view on the pay cut to the Pentagon report.

I'm sure the troops feel like they're getting fair and balanced treatment from the Administration on this issue.