Signed defense bill includes ending ‘pink tax’ on uniforms

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — The newly signed National Defense Authorization Act includes several provisions proposed by New Hampshire Sen. Maggie Hassan, including the elimination of the “pink tax” on women’s uniforms in the military.

President Joe Biden signed the bill on Monday, authorizing $768.2 billion in military spending for 2022.

It included provisions proposed by Hassan and Republican Sen. Joni Ernst, of Iowa, aimed at eliminating the higher prices female service members often pay for their uniforms.

The measure require the Department of Defense to develop consistent criteria for determining which uniform items are considered “uniquely military,” so as to reduce differences in out-of-pocket costs across services and by gender.