U.S. Rep. Dale Strong on Wednesday criticized the Biden administration for expressing opposition to a plan to increase pay for lower-ranking soldiers.

“President Biden supports a $15 minimum wage, hundreds of dollars more than junior soldiers currently earn in base pay,” Rep. Strong (R-Monrovia) posted. “Why does he oppose the bipartisan Quality of Life Commission's recommendation to give junior soldiers a significant pay increase?”

President Biden supports a $15 minimum wage, which would be hundreds of dollars more than the base pay that junior soldiers currently receive.

Why is he opposed to the bipartisan Quality of Life Commission's recommendation to give junior soldiers big pay raises? https://t.co/9iXJKi1xqW

— Dale W. Strong (@RepDaleStrong) June 12, 2024

The pay raises are part of the Military Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025. The bill was introduced in Congress this week and is expected to be voted on this Friday.

The White House released a statement saying, “The Administration is committed to taking care of our service members and their families and appreciates the Committee's attention to the needs of our lowest-ranking enlisted personnel, but we strongly oppose making significant, permanent changes to the Basic Pay Schedule prior to the completion of the 14th Military Compensation Quadrennial Review (QRMC).”

RELATED: Rep. Mike Rogers: 2025 Pentagon budget includes 20% pay raise for junior soldiers

Strong, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, said in a statement to Yellow Hammer News that the pay increase is necessary to combat inflation, as mandated by the president.

““Junior service members' pay cannot keep up with Biden's inflation and is unable to compete with the private sector,” he argued. “No service member should have to choose between serving their country and providing for their family.”

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) authorizes policy and budgets for the Department of Defense, nuclear weapons programs within the Department of Energy, and other defense-related activities. Over 700 amendments have been negotiated. The NDAA authorizes $850 billion for the Department of Defense. The FY25 NDAA, if signed into law, will be the 64th consecutive defense authorization.

Unlike President Biden, @House Republicans I support a 19.5% pay increase for junior soldiers 🇺🇸

— Military Republicans (@HASCRepublicans) June 12, 2024

Yaffe is a contributing writer for Yellow Hammer News and hosts “The Yaffe Program” weekdays from 9-11 a.m. WhistlerYou can follow him on X @Yaffe