We have No Action Items today.

 

 

Summary of Issues

At Issue 1. we see COLA’S STEADY RISE. May’s Consumer Price Index released. (See Issue 1 below for the details. GF)

 

At Issue 2. we see DEFENSE BILL CLEARS SENATE. Senate defies veto threat. House and Senate to start defense bill conference next month. (See Issue 2 below for the details. GF)

At Issue 3. we see CONGRESS SPLIT ON FUTURE OF COMMISSARY. Senate bill could slash funding. Will you see prices increase? (See Issue 3 below for the details. GF)

At Issue 4. we see TOP DOCS SQUASH PRIVATIZATION TALKS. Surgeons general reject TRICARE Choice. Top military medical officials came out against proposals to privatize TRICARE. (See Issue 4 below for the details. GF)

At Issue 5 we seeAGENT ORANGE AIRMEN . Airmen potentially exposed to Agent Orange now eligible for benefits. Thousands of Air Force veterans affected. (See Issue 5 below for the details. GF

Collectively We Can and Are Making a Difference

 

FOR ALL, Please feel free to pass these Weekly Legislative Updates on to your group of Veteran Friends –

don’t be concerned with possible duplications – if your friends are as concerned as we are with Veteran issues, they probably won’t mind getting this from two or more friendly sources

 

ISSUES

Issue 1. COLA’S STEADY RISE

 

May’s Consumer Price Index released

Follow the trends on MOAA’s COLA Watch.

(Click on  COLA’S STEADY RISE here or above to see the graph that shows we are 0.6% below the FY 2014 COLA baseline and nearly 2% behind last year’ CPI progress to date.

 

Issue 2. DEFENSE BILL CLEARS SENATE

June 19, 2015

On Thursday, the Senate overwhelmingly passed its version of the FY16 defense bill, defying a veto threat from the administration. The 71-25 vote means the Senate has enough support to override the veto, should that occur.

The administration threatened to veto the defense bill because it exceeds budget caps put in place by sequestration. The bill attempts to circumvent the budget caps by funding base operations using special war accounts. War accounts are not subject to sequestration.

In a surprising move, lawmakers rejected the Senate Armed Services Committee’s recommendation to privatize commissaries. However, many of the committee’s original proposals remain in the final bill.

Although lawmakers submitted over 600 amendments, only a handful made it into the final bill.

Several significant amendments, which would have prevented further erosion to pay and benefits, never saw the light of day. Left out were amendments that would have granted a full active duty pay raise, blocked a five percent reduction to housing allowances, prevented further cuts to commissary benefits, and prohibited increased TRICARE pharmacy fees. We thank the senators who introduced these amendments.

The following table shows where we currently are with the House and Senate-passed defense bills:

 

What’s Next?

Now that both chambers have passed their respective versions of the defense bill, House and Senate lawmakers will go to conference to iron out differences. Leadership from the Armed Services Committees announced that they hope to complete their work before the August recess.

When conferencing begins, we will need your help. During this process, we’ll ask you to contact your legislators in support of the House version of the defense bill.

We sincerely appreciate all of our members who take the time to contact Congress. We need your effort and support to remind Congress not to balance the budget on the backs of the military.

–

Issue 3.  CONGRESS Divided ON FUTURE OF COMMISSARY

Jun 19 2015

Published by Karen at 12:49 pm under Budget Battle, Legislation, NDAA,sequestration, White House –

The House and Senate have approved their versions of the defense bill, and they don’t see eye to eye on the commissary.

The Senate

The Senate unfortunately took aim at the commissary system in its version of the  National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Senate lawmakers cut $322 million from the commissary budget. A cut this big will lead to increased prices, reduced operating hours and days of operation, and a reduction in store staff.

Also tucked inside the bill was language allowing DoD to increase prices in stores to cover costs.

Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) sponsored an amendment to restore the $322 million funding and to strike language that would allow DoD to adjust commissary prices, but her amendment did not come to a vote.

Even though her amendment wasn’t voted on, as Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Mikulski rejected the commissary cut and provided full funding.

Civics 101: What does that mean?

Every year Congress works on two major types of legislation: authorization bills and appropriation bills.

Authorization bills tell federal departments (like DoD) and agencies what to do. Appropriations bills fund federal agencies. Appropriations bills distribute money to federal departments, agencies, and programs. These bills tell DoD how much they can spend and where the money will go.

Currently, the money for the commissary is in the Senate appropriations bill but the authorization to spend it is not in the Senate authorization bill.

The House

The House passed its version of the authorization bill in May. In it, House lawmakers rejected the cuts to commissary funding. The House defense appropriations bill included full funding for the commissary in the budget.

What’s Next? 

The Senate is currently working on its version of the defense appropriations bill. Once passed, it will go to conference where differences between the House and Senate bills must be resolved.

The defense authorization bill is also headed to conference. We are hopeful that funding for the commissary subsidy will be restored during this process.

Ultimately, without the funding, the cost of operating the commissary will slowly shift to you, the shopper.

MOAA thanks Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) and Mikulski (D-Md.) for leading the charge to prevent privatization of commissaries.

If you are on social media, thank Senators Inhofe and Mikulski for fighting for commissaries. You can contact them here: Senator Inhofe @JimInhofe  and Senator Mikulski @SenatorBarb

Issue 4. TOP DOCS SQUASH PRIVATIZATION TALKS

June 19, 2015

 

The military’s top doctors told lawmakers they do not support proposals to privatize TRICARE. In Congressional testimony, senior military medical leaders addressed health care reforms recommended by the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission (MCRMC). The report, released earlier this year, recommended privatizing TRICARE and creating a new Joint Readiness Command.

 

Although the surgeons general all expressed appreciation for the time and effort put forward by the MCRMC, they were unanimous in rejecting the TRICARE privatization proposal. They cited several reasons for rejecting the proposal, including increased costs and the negative impact to readiness training.

 

Under the MCRMC proposal, known as TRICARE Choice, millions of TRICARE beneficiaries would move to commercial, private sector health plans. The plans, administered by the Office of Personnel Management, would be similar to those offered to federal civilians. According to the MCRMC, TRICARE Choice would give servicemembers and their families more choices in health care coverage. However, the commission says that military families would pay up to four times more in health care costs.

 

According to Army Surgeon General Patricia Horoho, TRICARE Choice “would negatively impact the readiness of our entire health care team and present financial challenges for active duty families and retirees.”

 

Having TRICARE compete with the private sector “would drive up administrative costs and significantly detract from the operational mission of our medical facilities,” said Air Force Surgeon General Mark Ediger.

 

“It is critical to understand that our direct health care system connects with the battlefield and exists to provide health readiness to our soldiers and their families,” said Horoho. “This is what separates us from the civilian health care system.”

 

This message echoes what MOAA President, VADM Norb Ryan, USN (Ret) told lawmakers in February. Ryan said that problems with TRICARE “can be addressed in a systemic manner without resorting to its elimination.”

 

The surgeons general also rejected the creation of a new Joint Readiness Command, saying that current and existing reforms are providing the desired changes. The surgeons general said the recent establishment of the Defense Health Agency (DHA) aims to standardize common or shared services between the three military medical commands, such as a joint Health Information and Technology service.

 

MOAA agrees, and has consistently said that the largest barrier to an efficient and highly reliable health care organization is the three-service system. Instead of creating a far-reaching command tasked with handling the entire scope of joint readiness,

 

MOAA suggests building upon the current DHA structure and establishing a unified medical command with a single budget authority, one that can reduce redundancies and produce cost savings. MOAA appreciates the time Congress is taking to analyze the MCMRC health care proposals before taking action, and supports initiatives that strengthen TRICARE for beneficiaries and sustains military medical readiness.

 

At the conclusion of the testimony, Rep. Joe Heck (R-Nev.) emphasized Congress’s desire to improve TRICARE, saying they “look forward to continuing to work … to make TRICARE the premier health care provider in the nation.”

 

Issue 5.  AGENT ORANGE AIRMEN 

iJune 19, 2015

Earlier this year, a report by the National Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Medicine concluded that crews operating on C-123 aircraft during the Vietnam War were exposed to Agent Orange. In congressional testimony provided in May, MOAA recommended that Congress and the VA act on the IOM report.

The report found evidence that those who served aboard or worked on the C-123 aircraft associated with Operation Ranch Hand (ORH) were exposed to the herbicide, both during and after Vietnam, when many of the aircraft remained in service for aeromedical transportation and other missions.

The VA published an interim final rule on June 18 to allow veterans to apply for disability compensation and VA care for any of 14 presumptive medical conditions due to exposure to Agent Orange. The ruling applies to active Air Force and Air Force Reserve veterans assigned to specific C-123 units from 1969-1986 who have developed one of the Agent Orange conditions. (Click on interim final rule and 14 presumptive medical condition  here or above for more detail. GF)

In a press release, the VA said that “Air Force and Air Force Reserve flight, medical and ground maintenance crewmembers who served on the contaminated ORH C-123s are presumed to have been exposed to herbicides during their service, thus making it easier for them to establish entitlement for some VA benefits if they develop an Agent Orange-related presumptive condition. In addition, for affected Air Force Reserve crew members, VA will presume that their Agent Orange-related condition had its onset during their Reserve training. This change ensures that these reservists are eligible for VA disability compensation and medical care for any Agent Orange-related presumptive condition, and that their surviving dependents are eligible for dependency and indemnity compensation and burial benefits.”

MOAA recommends any Air Force veteran who served in a C-123 squadron during or after the Vietnam War contact a Veteran Service Organization that represents and assists veterans in the VA claims process.

 

 

That’s it for today- Thanks for your help!

We have 1 Action Item today, at Issue 1 below

 

 

Summary of Issues

At Issue 1. we see  ACT NOW: SUPPORT KEY SENATE AMENDMENTS. Debate on the defense bill is currently underway in the Senate, with a full vote coming as early as next Tuesday. (See Issue 1 below for the details and to send messages to your Senators. GF)

 

At Issue 2. we see PENTAGON SUPPORTS RETIREMENT CHANGES. Defense officials sign off on retirement changes in memo to lawmakers. Retirement reform gains steam as the Pentagon weighs in earlier than expected. (See Issue 2 below for the details. GF)

At Issue 3. we see “ANTIQUATED” PENTAGON LOOKS TO THE FUTURE. Pentagon launches Force of the Future initiative. DoD seeks to compete as millennials eschew military service (See Issue 3 below for the details. GF)

At Issue 4. we see DEFENSE BILL IMPASSE BREWING. Lawmakers defy veto threat and pass defense budget. Politicians threaten shutdown as saber-rattling increases. (See Issue 4 below for the details. GF)

Collectively We Can and Are Making a Difference

 

FOR ALL, Please feel free to pass these Weekly Legislative Updates on to your group of Veteran Friends –

don’t be concerned with possible duplications – if your friends are as concerned as we are with Veteran issues, they probably won’t mind getting this from two or more friendly sources

 

ISSUES

Issue 1. ACT NOW: SUPPORT KEY SENATE AMENDMENTS

Debate on the defense bill is currently underway in the Senate, with a full vote coming as early as next Tuesday

Several senators have introduced amendments for sustaining military pay and benefits, as well as eliminating remaining inequities plaguing military survivors and disabled retirees.

You still have time to act! Send an MOAA-suggested message urging your senators to support these critical amendments when the bill comes to a full vote.

(Click on  ACT NOW: SUPPORT KEY SENATE AMENDMENTS here or above or go to Here is the Process: at the end of this Email to send messages to your Senators. GF)

 

 

Issue 2. PENTAGON SUPPORTS RETIREMENT CHANGES

June 12, 2015

After months of delays, Pentagon officials came out in support of changes to the military retirement system. Their endorsement sets the stage for major reforms later this year.

House and Senate lawmakers already introduced retirement reform proposals earlier this year. Their proposals are currently being negotiated as part of this year’s defense bill.

Pentagon officials are asking Congress to make changes to their retirement proposals. Sharing the same concerns that MOAA has raised with lawmakers over the past year, they are asking Congress to make changes to disability retirement, the length of government contributions to retirement accounts, lump-sum proposals, and COLA reducing measures.

One of MOAA’s earliest concerns with retirement reform proposals was their effect on disabled retirees. Changing the multiplier used to calculate military retirement could diminish a disabled retiree’s pension. Defense officials asked Congress to grandfather disabled retirees under the current system. “This prevents more senior members from receiving less in a disability retirement annuity than the current system,” according to DoD.

Defense planners agreed with MOAA that Congress continue contributions to retirement accounts throughout military service. The Senate’s retirement proposal stops government matching at 20 years. MOAA thinks ending government contributions at 20 years will dis-incentivize continued service.

The Pentagon also agreed with MOAA’s criticisms on potential lump-sum retirement benefits. This option provides a discounted, small lump sum while forgoing significant lifetime annuity payments. In its memo to Congress, Pentagon officials said that a lump-sum payment at retirement is a “smart financial decision in very limited circumstances.” MOAA took a stronger stance, equating the payments to unscrupulous payday lending practices.

In exchange for comprehensive retirement reform, DoD also asked Congress to eliminate an unfair penalty on working age military retirees. Under current law, military entrants who joined after Jan. 1, 2016 will have their future COLAs reduced by one percentage point until age 62. The military said that even by restoring full COLAs, the Defense Department could achieve savings with the new retirement system.

“Thankfully, the Pentagon provided its recommendations in time for House and Senate leaders to consider when they conference later this year,” said MOAA’s Director of Government Relations, Col. Mike Hayden, USAF (Ret).

Though the Pentagon addressed some of our concerns, MOAA still worries that a 20 percent reduction in retired pay will fail to draw members to 20 years of service and beyond.

Issue 3.  “ANTIQUATED” PENTAGON LOOKS TO THE FUTURE

June 12, 2015

A new generation of troops could mean big changes in how the military operates.

According to Navy officials, in a decade, 98 percent of the force will consist of millennials. In order to preserve the all-volunteer force, senior leaders say the services must adapt to meet their needs.

At a conference with defense officials this week, Undersecretary of Defense Brad Carson called the Pentagon’s personnel program “antiquated,” stating that “oppressive bureaucracy exists” when it comes to force management. Carson emphasized his concern that “great dissatisfaction” of the system could lead to an exodus of talented leaders.

Drawing comparisons with corporate America, Carson said that although DoD can’t pay as much as companies like Google, it must give troops new missions to inspire continued service. In order to recruit and retain troops, Carson wants “the services [to] be beds of experimentation.”

To address this, the Pentagon is in the midst of conducting a six-month study of DoD’s personnel management system. Some things being considered are common private sector practices, like flexibility in choosing assignments, and talent-based, rather than time in service, promotions.

Secretary of Defense Ash Carter hopes to implement findings from the study within the next 18 months.

“It’s an ambitious timeline,” said MOAA’s Director of Government Relations, Col. Mike Hayden, USAF (Ret) “that seems based more on how much time folks have  left in office rather than feasibility in implementation.”

Changes to the personnel system could come at an interesting time for the services. DoD is preparing to make some of the biggest changes to military compensation in a generation.

MOAA supports reviewing the current personnel system and learning from the private sector to encourage better talent management. However, it’s imperative that reforms take into account the needs of troops while also meeting service requirements.

“Just because it works in the boardroom does not always mean that it will work on the battlefield. The conditions of service are vastly different, and the need to keep well-trained and experienced personnel is essential to maintaining the all-volunteer force,” said Hayden.

MOAA will continue to track the progress of the study.

Issue 4. DEFENSE BILL IMPASSE BREWING

June 12, 2015

On June 9, Senate appropriators approved a controversial draft of the FY16 defense budget.

The budget drew criticism from the White House, saying that lawmakers used “budget gimmicks” to exceed budget caps put in place by sequestration. The Senate budget exceeds budget caps by $37 billion.

The budget defies spending caps by funding base operations using special war accounts. War accounts are not subject to sequestration.

House lawmakers used similar budget maneuvers to pass its version of the defense spending bill on June 11.

The White House insists that any increases in defense spending must include increases in domestic programs. The administration has threatened to veto the bill if sent to the White House.

“With a veto threat, we’re looking at another budget impasse this fall,” said Col. Phil Odom, USAF (Ret), MOAA’s deputy director for Government Relations. “Without a bipartisan solution, there’s a very real possibility of another government shutdown.”

Pentagon officials are also cool to the idea of using war accounts to bridge the gap between budget caps and its spending request.

“If this were a one-year, temporary fix you might justify it,” said Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.). “But what we’re seeing is a pathway that [Congress is] going to take every year …. That’s the way, unfortunately, it tends to be around here.”

What’s needed is a common sense alternative to sequestration’s arbitrary budget caps. Congress needs to repeal sequestration and give Pentagon leaders a properly allocated budget.

Here is the Process:  If the steps below are new to some, I recommend that you review all of the steps and then you might want to copy this process by high lighting all of the steps below.  Then click on “File” at the top of your screen, select “Print“, then click on “Selection” at the next display and then hit “Print“; or print the selected portion as you usually do this kind of task.

 

1. Click here onhttp://capwiz.com/moaa/issues/ or copy and paste it in your browser to put you at the  “Legislative Action Center” screen.
2. Scroll downunder “Current Action Alerts” and click on Act Now: Support Key Senate Amendments  
3. At the next screen enter your Zip code if requested and/orhit “Go!” and/or scroll down to “Take Action”  and at “Compose Message” leave ‘Email‘ checked or check ‘Printed Letter‘  to send  Printed Letters instead of sending Emails if desired .
4. If an  “Issue Area:”line appears just before the Editable Text: and doesn’t have an issue shown, click on the down arrow and select an issue; e. g., Military, Veterans Affairs, etc.(usually required on messages to our Senators)
5. Scroll down to the  “Editable text” areaand edit/modify the text of the message if desired.
6. Insert “Your Closing” (I show ‘Respectfully), and “Your Name” and fill in the rest of the mandatory {asterisked} SENDER INFORMATION. The “Phone”number is now required by some Legislators (it’s required if your Senator is from Arizona) .  Fill in the “Guest Type“, “Service“, “Rank“, “Component“, and “Status” if you want that information to show in your message (recommended).  You may be prompted to include a phone number if you try to send the message without entering your phone number. Don’t be concerned about entering a phone number. I haven’t  received return calls except on rare occasions to thank me for my interest in a particular piece of Legislation, at which time you can comment (pro or con) to the staff member on how the Senator stands on the issue.
7. Check “Remember Me” (recommended) if you don’t want to have to re-enter all of your Sender Information the next time you send a message. You can always change your information or uncheck ‘Remember Me’ anytime in the future.
8. Check ‘Yes‘ or ‘No‘ as to whether you want to have a copy of your letter sent to your Email Address (suggested at least for you initial efforts, and to see how your personal data is included in the message).
9. Hit “Send Message”
10. If Printed Letter was selected at Step 3 above, at the screen after hitting “Send Message” leave “Plain Paper Style” and “Word Processor (RTF)” checked unless you have another preference. Then left click on “Print Letter(s)” at the end of the “PRINT LETTER” screen. At the File Download” alert that appears next, click on “Open”. You can then edit and print or save the letter for editing, printing, signing and mailing.
11. For Arizona residents, because of some current problems with contacting Sen Flake by Email,you will, see after hitting “Send Message” at Step 9 above, that “Printed Letter” is the only option  for getting your message to him. Step 10 above tells you how to do that for that.

.

 

That’s it for today- Thanks for your help!

We Have an Urgent Action Issue Today

 

ACT NOW: SUPPORT KEY SENATE AMENDMENTS

We compiled a list of the top issues demanding your attention

The Senate is expected to complete work on the defense bill this week. Several critical amendments have been introduced on military pay and benefits. Some of these amendments:

• Stop the erosion of active duty pay and benefits and restore commissary funding;
• Eliminate the offset of VA Dependency Indemnity Compensation from DoD Survivor Benefit annuities; and
• Expand concurrent receipt of military retired pay and VA disability pay to all disabled retirees.

Please send a MOAA-suggested message urging your senators to support these critical amendments when the bill comes to a full vote.

(All issues are addressed in a single message. GF)

(Click on  ACT NOW: SUPPORT KEY SENATE AMENDMENTS here or above or go to Here is the Process: below to send a message to your Senators. GF)

 

 

 

Here is the Process:  If the steps below are new to some, I recommend that you review all of the steps and then you might want to copy this process by high lighting all of the steps below.  Then click on “File” at the top of your screen, select “Print“, then click on “Selection” at the next display and then hit “Print“; or print the selected portion as you usually do this kind of task.

 

1. Click here onhttp://capwiz.com/moaa/issues/ or copy and paste it in your browser to put you at the  “Legislative Action Center” screen.
2. Scroll downunder “Current Action Alerts” and click on the first item: Act Now: Support Key Senate Amendments
3. At the next screen enter your Zip code if requested and/or hit “Go!” and/or scroll down to “Take Action”  and at “Compose Message” leave ‘Email‘ checked or check ‘Printed Letter‘  to send  Printed Letters instead of sending Emails if desired .
4. If an  “Issue Area:”line appears just before the Editable Text: and doesn’t have an issue shown, click on the down arrow and select an issue; e. g., Military, Veterans Affairs, etc.(usually required on messages to our Senators)
5. Scroll down to the  “Editable text” areaand edit/modify the text of the message if desired.
6. Insert “Your Closing” (I show ‘Respectfully), and “Your Name” and fill in the rest of the mandatory {asterisked} SENDER INFORMATION. The “Phone”number is now required by some Legislators (it’s required if your Senator is from Arizona) .  Fill in the “Guest Type“, “Service“, “Rank“, “Component“, and “Status” if you want that information to show in your message (recommended).  You may be prompted to include a phone number if you try to send the message without entering your phone number. Don’t be concerned about entering a phone number. I haven’t  received return calls except on rare occasions to thank me for my interest in a particular piece of Legislation, at which time you can comment (pro or con) to the staff member on how the Senator stands on the issue.
7. Check “Remember Me” (recommended) if you don’t want to have to re-enter all of your Sender Information the next time you send a message. You can always change your information or uncheck ‘Remember Me’ anytime in the future.
8. Check ‘Yes‘ or ‘No‘ as to whether you want to have a copy of your letter sent to your Email Address (suggested at least for you initial efforts, and to see how your personal data is included in the message).
9. Hit “Send Message”
10. If Printed Letter was selected at Step 3 above, at the screen after hitting “Send Message” leave “Plain Paper Style” and “Word Processor (RTF)” checked unless you have another preference. Then left click on “Print Letter(s)” at the end of the “PRINT LETTER” screen. At the File Download” alert that appears next, click on “Open”. You can then edit and print or save the letter for editing, printing, signing and mailing.
11. For Arizona residents, because of some current problems with contacting Sen Flake by Email,you will, see after hitting “Send Message” at Step 9 above, that “Printed Letter” is the only option  for getting your message to him. Step 10 above tells you how to do that for that.

 

.

 

That’s it for today- Thanks for your help!

We have 2 Action Items today, at Issue 1 and 3 below

 

 

Summary of Issues

At Issue 1. we see  86 BAH? Troops living together could soon see significant cuts. In his June edition of the “The Bottom Line,” MOAA Director of Government Relations Col. Mike Hayden, USAF (Ret) looks at a controversial new provision on housing allowances. (See Issue 1 below for the details and to send messages to your Senators. GF)

 

At Issue 2. we see DOD ECHOES MOAA’S CONCERNS IN RETIREMENT REFORM. Joint Chief echoes MOAA’s concerns. The Joint Chief speak out for career servicemembers. (See Issue 2 below for the details. GF)

At Issue 3. we see LAWMAKERS FACE UPHILL BATTLE ON PAY RAISE. House votes to give servicemembers full 2.3% pay raise. Will the Senate play ball? (See Issue 3 below for the detailsand to send messages to your Legislators. GF)

At Issue 4. we see WILL TROOPS ACCEPT NEW RETIREMENT REFORMS? New report on retirement reform. (See Issue 4 below for the details. GF)

Collectively We Can and Are Making a Difference

 

FOR ALL, Please feel free to pass these Weekly Legislative Updates on to your group of Veteran Friends –

don’t be concerned with possible duplications – if your friends are as concerned as we are with Veteran issues, they probably won’t mind getting this from two or more friendly sources

 

ISSUES

Issue 1. The Bottom Line – 86 BAH?

June 5, 2015

By Col. Mike Hayden, USAF (Ret)

A contentious new proposal cuts housing allowances for more than 40,000 troops.

In language approved by the Senate Armed Services Committee, servicemembers married to other servicemembers living off base will no longer receive two Basic Allowances for Housing (BAH).

How much will this “marriage tax” cost a married couple? If you’re stationed in any of these cities, a lot:

The proposal received serious flak from MOAA and other advocacy groups, troops, and the administration.

The marriage tax restricts BAH to the spouse of higher rank, eliminating the benefit entirely for the other spouse. The proposal is particularly detrimental to women servicemembers, 20 percent of whom are in dual-military marriages, compared to less than 4 percent of their male counterparts.

If that wasn’t enough, the marriage tax also includes a provision that cuts BAH by 25 percent to troops sharing an apartment or home. When I was a junior airman, a cut this steep would be significant enough to dissuade me from getting a place with someone in my squadron.

This is about more than a couple of junior troops deciding to give up their privacy in order to scrounge up extra savings every month. This is a serious cut to the overall package needed to keep pace with private sector peers.

Administration officials ultimately concluded that the proposal would negatively affect recruiting and retention of the all-volunteer force, and MOAA agrees.

The Pentagon uses a specific formula – consisting of basic pay, an allowance for subsistence, federal tax advantages, and BAH – to keep military compensation on pace with private-sector workers.

Because troops have little say in where the services assign them, BAH provides a monthly stipend equal to the local average rental cost to help offset their expenses. DoD uses annual surveys of civilian housing costs to determine payment levels near installations.

Currently, about 70 percent of the force lives off an installation post. DoD likes it that way; troops like it that way. DoD saves money on upkeep on costly installations. It allows military families to assimilate into their local communities.

What’s going to be the effect of this thoughtless proposal? Will troops seeking a relationship with someone in uniform be willing to absorb the marriage tax? Will it also dissuade servicemembers from marrying each other? Dual-military married couples could seriously consider having one spouse leave the service. Are we willing to lose these talented men and women?

The Bottom Line : Changing housing allowances based on marriage or cohabitation significantly undermines the fairness of military pay and puts troops at a competitive disadvantage to their private sector peers.

86 BAH? What the heck?

Act now: Send your senators a MOAA-suggested message asking them to strip the marriage tax from the defense bill.

(Click on  MOAA-suggested message  or 86 BAH? here or above or go to Here is the Process: at the end of this Email to send messages to your Senators. GF)

 

 

Issue 2. DOD ECHOES MOAA’S CONCERNS IN RETIREMENT REFORM

June 5, 2015

DoD is giving Congress cautious approval on moving forward with retirement reform. After months of internal deliberation, one of the Joint Chiefs of Staff came out in support of recent proposals on some of the biggest changes to military compensation in a generation.

On May 21, in a virtual town hall with enlisted airmen, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh used messaging similar to what MOAA has been saying on Capitol Hill over the past two years: “Don’t reward people who stay less than 20 by hurting people who stay more than 20.”

Since January, Congress has been weighing the merits of a report by the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission (MCRMC) that calls for reductions in military pensions and moving troops to a blended retirement system. As part of its list of recommendations, the MCRMC proposed cutting military retirement by 20 percent. In exchange, troops would receive government contributions to Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) accounts, the federal employee equivalent to a 401(k) account. Government contributions would stop after 20 years of service, regardless of whether or not the servicemember continues to remain in uniform.

Welsh and the other Joint Chiefs will ask Congress to support another MOAA position: extend government contributions to TSP accounts to troops serving more than 20 years. According to Welsh, stopping contributions at the 20-year mark makes “no sense.”

“This is what MOAA’s been saying all along. We’re glad to see the Joint Chiefs are not only hearing, but echoing our talking points,” said MOAA’s Director of Government Relations Col. Mike Hayden, USAF (Ret.).

MOAA supports providing a portable career device for those who leave the service prior to the 20-year point, but we have serious concerns that the MCRMC’s proposal will fail to provide the necessary draw to retain members to 20 years of service.

Congress is currently considering two options for military retirement. Members of the Senate Armed Services Committee essentially adopted the MCRMC’s retirement proposal in its version of the FY16 defense bill.

House lawmakers, however, wisely understood that stopping TSP contributions at the 20-year mark would provide a disincentive to remain in uniform. When the House passed its version of the defense bill in May, they voted to extend government contributions for troops serving more than 20 years.

“What we’d really like,” said Hayden, “is for Congress to take more time to study the second- and third-order effects of these retirement proposals.”

Discrepancies between the two bills will have to be resolved in conference committee later this summer-

Issue 3. LAWMAKERS FACE UPHILL BATTLE ON PAY RAISE

June 5, 2015

House lawmakers approved a 2.3 percent active duty pay raise.

On June 2, the House Appropriations Committee approved funding for the FY16 defense bill. Included in the bill was support for a fully funded active duty pay raise and funding to maintain 100 percent of troop housing costs through housing allowances.

On passage of the bill, Defense Subcommittee Chairman Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-N.J.) said, “I am proud that we have kept faith with the brave men and women, and their families, who selflessly serve our country.”

But they’ll face an uphill battle getting the provision signed into law.

In its version of the annual defense bill, the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) approved the administration’s proposal to cap military pay at 1.3 percent.

For the last two years, the Senate and the administration have capped pay raises.

In 2003, Congress tied military pay increases to the Employment Cost Index (ECI) to keep military pay competitive with the private sector. Congress recognized that annually raising active duty pay at the same pace as the private sector is essential to sustaining a quality force. Under this law, servicemembers should receive a 2.3 percent pay raise.

This erosion of pay puts servicemembers at a disadvantage to their private sector peers.

“A third straight year of pay caps sends the wrong message to troops,” said MOAA’s Deputy Director of Government Relations, Col. Mike Barron, USA (Ret.). “Pay comparability can’t work unless it’s sustained through both good and bad times.”

Troops burdened by over a decade of war have had their last four raises average less than 1.4 percent. The last two years of pay raises were the lowest in 50 years.

“House lawmakers have done the right thing with supporting the 2.3 percent pay raise. It’s time for the Senate to do the same,” said Barron.

Act now to send your senators an MOAA-suggested message asking them to

 

(Click on an MOAA-suggested message here or above or go to Here is the Process: at the end of this Email to send messages to your Legislators. GF)

Issue 4. WILL TROOPS ACCEPT NEW RETIREMENT REFORMS?

June 5, 2015

As momentum to overhaul the military retirement system gains speed on Capitol Hill, a new report by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) provided predictions on if currently serving troops would convert to the new system.

House and Senate lawmakers are proposing overhauls to military retirement by combining the existing defined benefit with a portable retirement device. In exchange for cutting military retirement by 20 percent, lawmakers would provide government-matched contributions to 401(k) accounts.

The House proposal provides a government match up to 5 percent and continues the match throughout an entire career. The Senate proposal provides only a 4 percent match (after two years of service) and stops government contributions at 20 years of service.

Neither proposal requires currently serving troops to participate in the plan. Troops would have the option to opt in to the program. Once adopted, new servicemembers would be automatically enrolled in the new system.

Proponents of the plans say both proposals offer a better deal for the 83 percent of troops who do not serve until eligible for a military retirement, and currently receive no retirement benefits from the government.

For a much smaller portion of the force – the mid-grade officers and non-commissioned officers planning to serve a full career – the benefits of a blended system are more complex.

Members with more than 12 years of service would have little or no incentive to switch to the new plan. CBO estimates that none of those members would make the switch.

The report estimates that about 50 percent of servicemembers with 12 years of service or less during the opt-in period would make the switch to the new system.

Both proposals offer continuation pay at the 12-year point in a career. However, what the report fails to mention is that servicemembers are unable to invest their continuation pay back into their TSP accounts.

“Troops at this stage in their careers face a very tough decision,” said MOAA’s Deputy Director of Government Relations, Col. Mike Barron, USA (Ret.). “They won’t be able to make up the difference in lost TSP contributions by twenty years of service.”

In a recent virtual town hall , Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh told concerned airmen, “Those of you who aren’t sure, stick with the old plan. You know what you got.”  (Click on recent virtual town hall here or above to see the Town Hall details. GF)

The CBO report also estimated that the number of servicemembers that will opt-in to the new plan would increase for those with fewer years of service, so that 100 percent of servicemembers with only one or two years of service would choose to switch.

Though there are significant differences between the House and Senate proposals, the CBO report did not find any statistical differences in opt-in rates of servicemembers.

DoD is expected to provide its take on the military retirement reform proposals over the next month.

Before Congress rushes to overhaul the retirement system, MOAA believes these proposals require further study.

Here is the Process:  If the steps below are new to some, I recommend that you review all of the steps and then you might want to copy this process by high lighting all of the steps below.  Then click on “File” at the top of your screen, select “Print“, then click on “Selection” at the next display and then hit “Print“; or print the selected portion as you usually do this kind of task.

 

1. Click here onhttp://capwiz.com/moaa/issues/ or copy and paste it in your browser to put you at the  “Legislative Action Center” screen.
2. Scroll downunder “Current Action Alerts” and click on Act Now to Block Huge Cuts to Military Pay the first time through this process. And the second time through The Process click onAct Now on TRICARE, Pay, and Housing.
3. At the next screen enter your Zip code if requested and/orhit “Go!” and/or scroll down to “Take Action”  and at “Compose Message” leave ‘Email‘ checked or check ‘Printed Letter‘  to send  Printed Letters instead of sending Emails if desired .
4. If an  “Issue Area:”line appears just before the Editable Text: and doesn’t have an issue shown, click on the down arrow and select an issue; e. g., Military, Veterans Affairs, etc. (usually required on messages to our Senators)
5. Scroll down to the  “Editable text” areaand edit/modify the text of the message if desired.
6. Insert “Your Closing” (I show ‘Respectfully), and “Your Name” and fill in the rest of the mandatory {asterisked} SENDER INFORMATION. The “Phone”number is now required by some Legislators (it’s required if your Senator is from Arizona) .  Fill in the “Guest Type“, “Service“, “Rank“, “Component“, and “Status” if you want that information to show in your message (recommended).  You may be prompted to include a phone number if you try to send the message without entering your phone number. Don’t be concerned about entering a phone number. I haven’t  received return calls except on rare occasions to thank me for my interest in a particular piece of Legislation, at which time you can comment (pro or con) to the staff member on how the Senator stands on the issue.
7. Check “Remember Me” (recommended) if you don’t want to have to re-enter all of your Sender Information the next time you send a message. You can always change your information or uncheck ‘Remember Me’ anytime in the future.
8. Check ‘Yes‘ or ‘No‘ as to whether you want to have a copy of your letter sent to your Email Address (suggested at least for you initial efforts, and to see how your personal data is included in the message).
9. Hit “Send Message”
10. If Printed Letter was selected at Step 3 above, at the screen after hitting “Send Message” leave “Plain Paper Style” and “Word Processor (RTF)” checked unless you have another preference. Then left click on “Print Letter(s)” at the end of the “PRINT LETTER” screen. At the File Download” alert that appears next, click on “Open”. You can then edit and print or save the letter for editing, printing, signing and mailing.
11. For Arizona residents, because of some current problems with contacting Sen Flake by Email,you will, see after hitting “Send Message” at Step 9 above, that “Printed Letter” is the only option  for getting your message to him. Step 10 above tells you how to do that for that.
12. Repeat this process for Issue 3.to send the Act Now on TRICARE, Pay, and Housingmessage to your Legislators.

.

 

That’s it for today- Thanks for your help!

We have 1 Action Item today, at Issue 1 below

 

 

Summary of Issues

At Issue 1. we see DEFENSE BILL BREAKDOWN. Deep divides over military pay and benefits. Learn more about what’s at stake in this year’s defense bill.. (See Issue 1 below for the details and to send messages to your Legislators. GF)

 

At Issue 2. we see SENATE SEEKS TRICARE CHANGES   Another call for prescription copay hikes. (See Issue 2 below for the details. GF)

At Issue 3. we see HELP PROTECT YOUR COMMISSARY BENEFITS. New study seeks commissary feedback. The commissary wants to learn more about your shopping habits. (See Issue 3 below for the details and to participate in a survey. GF)

Collectively We Can and Are Making a Difference

 

FOR ALL, Please feel free to pass these Weekly Legislative Updates on to your group of Veteran Friends –

don’t be concerned with possible duplications – if your friends are as concerned as we are with Veteran issues, they probably won’t mind getting this from two or more friendly sources

 

ISSUES

Issue 1. DEFENSE BILL BREAKDOWN.

May 29, 2015

The House and Senate released their versions of the FY 2016 defense bill. The House passed its version of the defense bill (H.R. 1735) the same day the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) completed its mark-up (S. 1376). The two bills show divides on military compensation and benefits.

House Bill

In a major MOAA victory, the House rejects most of the administration’s proposals to shift costs onto the backs of servicemembers, retirees, and families in the form of military pay caps, increased TRICARE fees, and higher out-of-pocket housing costs.

The bill includes a provision prohibiting DoD from replacing or consolidating the commissary and exchange systems until Congress receives a report on commissary management and pricing options due later this year.

Lawmakers also included a provision that overhauls military retirement. The proposal combines the existing defined benefit – cliff-vested 20-year retirement plan – with a portable retirement device. The proposed change allows servicemembers to receive government-matching contributions to Thrift Savings Plans. Government matching would be available for troops beyond 20 years of service.  Under this provision, the existing military retirement annuity is cut by 20 percent.

SASC Mark

Senate lawmakers, however, took a different approach in their version of the defense bill.

The SASC mark once again includes an active duty pay cap below private sector pay growth. This would be the third consecutive year of pay caps.

The Senate’s proposal includes major changes to Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH). In addition to reducing BAH by up to 5 percent for military families, servicemembers who live together would see a reduction in their allowance. For married servicemembers living together, BAH would be restricted to the spouse of higher rank. Troops living together would be hit with a 25 percent cut in BAH.

In a big win for military families, the Senate bill allows TRICARE beneficiaries to use urgent care up to four times a year without preauthorization. However, the SASC’s mark also accepts proposals to double TRICARE pharmacy co-pays over ten years.  For more information on key health proposals in the Senate defense bill, click here. (Click on click here. here or above for more information.GF)

Like their House counterparts, Senate lawmakers included a provision in the defense bill that overhauls military retirement by calling for a hybrid retirement system. However, unlike the House version, the Senate’s proposal stops government matching at 20 years. MOAA thinks this proposal provides little incentive to serve after that point and remains concerned over the ability to retain mid-grade NCOs and officers in the career force.

The SASC decided not to wait for the report on commissary management and pricing before proposing changes to the system. Included is the DoD’s requested $322 million cut to the commissary subsidy, which will result in increased costs for goods, longer lines, and reduced hours and days of operation. SASC lawmakers also included a provision launching a pilot program that privatizes at least five commissaries from large markets across the country. The language also calls for a report on a plan to privatize commissaries, and directs the Government Accountability Office to assess the potential costs and benefits from privatization.

Take Action

MOAA believes the Senate’s proposals reverse much of the hard work Congress enacted between 2000 and 2010. Over that period, Congress helped fix serious retention problems of the 1990s by eliminating a 13.5 percent military pay gap with the private sector and zeroing-out the 20 percent out-of-pocket housing costs servicemembers faced.

Act now to send your senators a   MOAA-suggested message  asking them to resist these shortsighted, budget driven cuts to military pay, health care, and benefits when the defense bill comes to the Senate floor for a vote.

(Click on  MOAA-suggested message   here or above or go to Here is the Process: at the end of this Email to send messages to your Legislators. GF)

 

 

Issue 2. SENATE SEEKS TRICARE CHANGES 

May 29, 2015

Another call for prescription copay hikes. Senate lawmakers aim to increase TRICARE fees.

 

(Click on SENATE SEEKS TRICARE CHANGES here or above to see the details. GF)

–

Issue 3. Military Resale Study Group Wants Your Feedback on the Commissary

May 28 2015

Published by Karen at 4:42 pm under Budget Battle,Legislation,NDAA,Veterans,White House

 

Once again, the Senate is putting commissary benefits on the chopping block.

The Senate Armed Services Personnel Subcommittee’s markup of the FY16 Defense Authorization Bill contains a proposed $322 million dollar reduction to commissary funding.  This funding cut would lead to an increase in prices, a reduction in store operating hours and days of operation, and a reduction in store employees.

In its version of the annual defense bill, House members voted to maintain current commissary funding levels pending the outcome of a requested study on the commissary. Last year’s defense bill mandated a review of the commissary system’s management, food, and pricing strategies. Part of that review entails gathering input from commissary patrons. An independent study group is looking for your input to better understand grocery shopping habits.

Here’s where you come in.

This is an opportunity to voice your opinion on prices, products, convenience, other stores you frequent and more. The study is also looking at how valuable the resale benefit is to you and your family, and how your behavior would change if prices changed on some of your favorite everyday items.

In addition to your opinion, researchers want to hear from any other members of your family that use commissaries or military exchanges. Please forward the survey to them as well.

All responses are confidential and anonymous, and the results will be included in a report to Congress in the fall.

The survey takes about 20-25 minutes to complete. Click here to take the survey now.

(Click on Click here to take the survey now here or above to participate in the survey. GF)

Don’t delay! This survey is open until June 1.

 

Here is the Process:  If the steps below are new to some, I recommend that you review all of the steps and then you might want to copy this process by high lighting all of the steps below.  Then click on “File” at the top of your screen, select “Print“, then click on “Selection” at the next display and then hit “Print“; or print the selected portion as you usually do this kind of task.

 

1. Click here onhttp://capwiz.com/moaa/issues/bills/   or copy and paste it in your browser to put you at the  “Legislative Action Center” screen.
2. Scroll downunder “Current Action Alerts” and click on Act Now on TRICARE, Pay, and Housing .

3. At the next screen enter your Zip code if requested and/orhit “Go!” and/or scroll down to “Take Action”  and at “Compose Message” leave ‘Email‘ checked or check ‘Printed Letter‘  to send  Printed Letters instead of sending Emails if desired.
4. If an  “Issue Area:”line appears just before the Editable Text: and doesn’t have an issue shown, click on the down arrow and select an issue; e. g., Military, Veterans Affairs, etc. (usually required on messages to our Senators)
5. Scroll down to the  “Editable text” areaand edit/modify the text of the message if desired.
6. Insert “Your Closing” (I show ‘Respectfully), and “Your Name” and fill in the rest of the mandatory {asterisked} SENDER INFORMATION. The “Phone”number is now required by some Legislators (it’s required if your Senator is from Arizona) .  Fill in the “Guest Type“, “Service“, “Rank“, “Component“, and “Status” if you want that information to show in your message (recommended).  You may be prompted to include a phone number if you try to send the message without entering your phone number. Don’t be concerned about entering a phone number. I haven’t  received return calls except on rare occasions to thank me for my interest in a particular piece of Legislation, at which time you can comment (pro or con) to the staff member on how the Senator stands on the issue.
7. Check “Remember Me” (recommended) if you don’t want to have to re-enter all of your Sender Information the next time you send a message. You can always change your information or uncheck ‘Remember Me’ anytime in the future.
8. Check ‘Yes‘ or ‘No‘ as to whether you want to have a copy of your letter sent to your Email Address (suggested at least for you initial efforts, and to see how your personal data is included in the message).
9. Hit “Send Message”
10. If Printed Letter was selected at Step 3 above, at the screen after hitting “Send Message” leave “Plain Paper Style” and “Word Processor (RTF)” checked unless you have another preference. Then left click on “Print Letter(s)” at the end of the “PRINT LETTER” screen. At the File Download” alert that appears next, click on “Open”. You can then edit and print or save the letter for editing, printing, signing and mailing.
11. For Arizona residents, because of some current problems with contacting Sen Flake by Email,you will, see after hitting “Send Message” at Step 9 above, that “Printed Letter” is the only option  for getting your message to him. Step 10 above tells you how to do that for this issue.

.

 

That’s it for today- Thanks for your help!

We have 6 Action Items today, at Issue 2 and 3 below 

 

 

Summary of Issues

At Issue 1. we see COLA CONTINUES SLOW CLIMB The Consumer Price Index continues its climb in April, to 1.2% below the 2014 baseline. (See Issue 1 below for the details. GF)

 

At Issue 2. we see MOAA TESTIFIES ON VETERANS ISSUES  MOAA outlines veterans’ health care and benefits priorities. MOAA testified before a joint hearing of the Senate and House Veterans’ Affairs committees. (See Issue 2 below for the details and send messages to your Legislators GF)

At Issue 3. we see KEY VET BILLS. Send your legislators letters of support. Congress is working on a number of bills that are important to veterans. (See Issue 3 below for the details. and send messages to your Legislators GF)

At Issue 4. we see VIRGINIA COUNCIL HOSTS LAWMAKERS. Elected officials joined more than 125 MOAA members. MOAA’s Virginia Council of Chapters hosted its congressional delegation luncheon. (See Issue 4 below for the details. GF)

At Issue 5. we see ANNUAL LETTER SURVEY REMINDER <(Click on ANNUAL LETTER SURVEY REMINDER to participate in the survey. GF)

Collectively We Can and Are Making a Difference

 

FOR ALL, Please feel free to pass these Weekly Legislative Updates on to your group of Veteran Friends –

don’t be concerned with possible duplications – if your friends are as concerned as we are with Veteran issues, they probably won’t mind getting this from two or more friendly sources

 

ISSUES

Issue 1. COLA CONTINUES SLOW CLIMB

May 22, 2015

 

The Consumer Price Index continues its climb in April

(To follow the trends on MOAA’s COLA Watch, click on COLA CONTINUES SLOW CLIMB here or above to see the details. GF)

 

 

 

Issue 2. MOAA TESTIFIES ON VETERANS HEALTH CARE AND BENEFITS 

May 22, 2015

On May 20, Col. Bob Norton, USA (Ret.), deputy director of MOAA’s Government Relations Department, testified at a joint hearing before the Senate and House Veterans Affairs Committees.

Norton outlined MOAA’s key concerns and recommendations to improve veterans’ access to VA health services, upgrade existing benefits, and extend special services to disabled servicemembers’ full-time caregivers.

Norton also presented MOAA’s recommendations on assuring aggressive implementation of the Choice Card for veterans stuck on waiting lists for VA care, and those who live at least 40 miles from a VA hospital or clinic.

MOAA was joined by the national commanders or representatives from the Paralyzed Veterans of America, Blinded Veterans Association, and partners from The Military Coalition: AMVETS, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Vietnam Veterans of America, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, and the Non-Commissioned Officers Association of America.

Norton described outsourced care as “a wobbly, three-layered cake: the first layer is local purchased care contracts, the second layer is the VA national patient-centered care contracts (PC-3), which got some primary care icing added on to the specialty care contract, and the third layer is the Choice Card program for rural veterans and veterans stuck on long waiting lists.”

Because purchased care complements VA’s direct care system, MOAA recommends Congress engage the Commission on VA Care to map out a long-term strategy to integrate all aspects of VA managed care. Given the importance and scope of designing VA care for the 21st century, the Commission on Care should be given a year to develop a plan.

MOAA also urged Congress to support other changes to the way VA does business, including:

• – Building up the capacity to deliver VA care more efficiently in its facilities by hiring and training more providers, fixing the scheduling system, and reengineering clinical space along the lines of leading civilian health care entities;
• – Recruiting more mental health providers and training them on the unique needs of veterans;
• – Extending the time surviving spouses have to use new GI Bill “Fry Scholarships”;
• – Authorizing VA benefits to Vietnam War “blue water” Navy veterans exposed to Agent Orange;
• – Providing veterans status to career National Guard and Reserve members eligible for non-regular retired pay who are entitled to certain veterans’ benefits, but do not have active duty service under Title 10 orders; and
• – Extending special services and support to the full-time caregivers of severely disabled veterans who served before Sept. 11, 2001.

Rep. Ralph Abraham (R-La.), chair of the House panel that oversees veterans’ disability assistance, questioned what could be done to make further progress on the claims backlog. Norton said that new legislation, S. 1203 , offers “practical, low-cost measures” aimed at further improving the claims system. Norton added that MOAA is working with the DAV and other groups to streamline procedures governing appealed claims, which currently take about three-years on average to resolve.

Norton described the plight of Coast Guard veteran Alexis Courneen who suffered a severe brain injury in service in 1999. Her husband Jason is her full-time caregiver, but the couple is ineligible for respite care, CHAMPVA, training, and a stipend under the Caregivers Act. Under current law, those benefits are only available to catastrophically disabled veterans who served after Sept. 10, 2001.

In response to Norton’s testimony that, “there’s no policy reason to exclude Alexis and Jason from Caregivers Act benefits,” Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) said that the committees were taking up the issue soon.

Send your senators a  MOAA-suggested message  to support S. 1203, the 21st Century Veterans Benefits Delivery

(Click on MOAA-suggested message here or above or go to Here is the Process: at the end of this Email to send messages to your Legislators. GF)

–

Issue 3. KEY VET BILLS

May 22, 2015

Several important veterans’ bills have been introduced in the 114th Congress. Click on the bill numbers below to send your legislators a MOAA-suggested message in support.

(Click on the respective underlined bill numbers below or go to Here is the Process: at the end of this Email to send messages to your Legislators – don’t miss S. 602. GF)

S.1085 : Military and Veteran Caregiver Services Improvement Act. This bill allows veterans of all eras eligible for the full range of caregiver support services through the VA.

H.R. 1141 and S. 602 : GI Bill Fairness Act. This bill allows members of the National Guard and Reserves to count time spent receiving care in a DoD facility for a line-of-duty illness, injury, or wound incurred during a call-up to count as active duty for purposes of eligibility for Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits.

H.R. 1607 : Ruth Moore Act. This bill upgrades disability compensation procedures for veterans with mental health conditions related to military sexual trauma.

H.R. 456 : Reducing Barriers for Veterans Education Act. This bill allows veterans to apply a small portion of one-month’s Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to pay for college applications.

Disregard S.1203 below  if you sent the message at Issue 2 above

1. 1203: 21st Century Veterans Benefits Delivery Act.This bill helps simplify and expedite the VA claims system.

Issue 4. VIRGINIA COUNCIL HOSTS LAWMAKERS

May 22, 2015

MOAA’s Virginia Council of Chapters (VCOC) hosted its congressional delegation for a lunch discussion on Capitol Hill on May 21.

Seven legislators spoke to more than 125 MOAA members at the event, where the Council thanked them for their support to date and urged them to do more for the military and veterans’ community.

VCOC’s annual congressional luncheon – now in its 30th year – is a great way for MOAA members to meet face-to-face with their legislators and push both state and national level issues.

A common theme among the legislators’ remarks was concern over the balancing the budget in a responsible way that doesn’t put a disproportionate share of the burden on servicemembers and retirees.

Col. Barry Wright, USA (Ret), MOAA’s Director of Chapter and Council Affairs, received the Minuteman award for his leadership. The Minuteman award is given to a MOAA member providing outstanding support and loyal service to the VCOC. Wright expressed his appreciation for the support of the legislators in attendance and thanked members for staying active with MOAA’s grassroots advocacy.

The VCOC recognized Rep. Randy Forbes (R-Va.) with its annual legislative award for his support of many of MOAA’s top priorities and nearly fifteen years of service in Congress. Because of his dedication to the military community, Forbes received the award for the second time in three years.

The VCOC’s luncheon is a great example of how you can become involved legislatively through MOAA’s state chapters. Click here to find a chapter in your area.

 

 

Here is the Process:  If the steps below are new to some, I recommend that you review all of the steps and then you might want to copy this process by high lighting all of the steps below.  Then click on “File” at the top of your screen, select “Print“, then click on “Selection” at the next display and then hit “Print“; or print the selected portion as you usually do this kind of task.

 

1. Click here onhttp://capwiz.com/moaa/issues/bills/   or copy and paste it in your browser to put you at the  “Legislative Action Center” screen.
2. Scroll down under “Current Legislation” to “Veterans and Other Issues”and click on 21st Century Veterans Benefits Delivery Act next to S. 1203 the first time through this process. Repeat this process for S.1085, S.602, H.R. 1607, H.R.1141 and H.R. 456 the next five times through this process.
3. At the next screen enter your Zip code if requested and/orhit “Go!” and/or scroll down to “Take Action”  and at “Compose Message” leave ‘Email‘ checked or check ‘Printed Letter‘  to send  Printed Letters instead of sending Emails if desired.
4. If an  “Issue Area:”line appears just before the Editable Text: and doesn’t have an issue shown, click on the down arrow and select an issue; e. g., Military, Veterans Affairs, etc. (usually required on messages to our Senators)
5. Scroll down to the  “Editable text” areaand edit/modify the text of the message if desired.
6. Insert “Your Closing” (I show ‘Respectfully), and “Your Name” and fill in the rest of the mandatory {asterisked} SENDER INFORMATION. The “Phone”number is now required by some Legislators (it’s required if your Senator is from Arizona) .  Fill in the “Guest Type“, “Service“, “Rank“, “Component“, and “Status” if you want that information to show in your message (recommended).  You may be prompted to include a phone number if you try to send the message without entering your phone number. Don’t be concerned about entering a phone number. I haven’t  received return calls except on rare occasions to thank me for my interest in a particular piece of Legislation, at which time you can comment (pro or con) to the staff member on how the Senator stands on the issue.
7. Check “Remember Me” (recommended) if you don’t want to have to re-enter all of your Sender Information the next time you send a message. You can always change your information or uncheck ‘Remember Me’ anytime in the future.
8. Check ‘Yes‘ or ‘No‘ as to whether you want to have a copy of your letter sent to your Email Address (suggested at least for you initial efforts, and to see how your personal data is included in the message).
9. Hit “Send Message”
10. If Printed Letter was selected at Step 3 above, at the screen after hitting “Send Message” leave “Plain Paper Style” and “Word Processor (RTF)” checked unless you have another preference. Then left click on “Print Letter(s)” at the end of the “PRINT LETTER” screen. At the File Download” alert that appears next, click on “Open”. You can then edit and print or save the letter for editing, printing, signing and mailing.
11. For Arizona residents, because of some current problems with contacting Sen Flake by Email,you will, see after hitting “Send Message” at Step 9 above, that “Printed Letter” is the only option  for getting your message to him. Step 10 above tells you how to do that for the Senate Bills.
12. After going through this process the first time, repeat the process 5 more times for the following Bills all under “Veterans and Other Issues”:S.1085, S.602, H.R. 1607, H.R.1141 and H.R. 456 

.

 

That’s it for today- Thanks for your help!