From: FRA NewsBytes [Newsbytes@fra.org]
Sent: Saturday, May 15, 2010 3:05 AM
To: fra@fra367.org
Subject: FRA Newsbytes -- 05-14-10
In this week's NewsBytes:
House Subcommittee Marks-Up NDAA
FRA Meets with House Speaker Pelosi
FRA Opposes Amendment to Finance Reform Measure
Coast Guard Leadership Changes


House Subcommittee Marks-Up NDAA
The House Armed Services Military Personnel Subcommittee approved its portion of the FY2011 Defense Authorization bill (H.R. 5136) this week. The subcommittee approved a 1.9 percent active duty pay increase, which is half a percent (0.5%) higher than the Employment Cost Index (ECI) and above the Administration's request of 1.4 percent. The subcommittee also voted to increase monthly combat pay from $225 to $260 and raise the family separation allowance from $250 to $285. The panel also voted to improve disability benefits for combat-wounded Reservists and authorized credit for early retirement for wounded Reservists. The measure also increases Navy end strength, includes changing the name of the Department of the Navy to the Department of the Navy and the Marine Corps and authorizes additional Impact Aid funding for schools that educate military children.

The bill does not include any TRICARE fee or co-pay increase for retirees and extends authority for TRICARE beneficiaries to purchase  coverage for dependent children up to age 26, a provision that would provide TRICARE beneficiaries the same options as that provided under recently-enacted national health care reform.

Due to mandatory spending barriers, the subcommittee mark-up does not include language to expand concurrent receipt, repeal Survivor Benefit Plan/Dependency Indemnity Compensation (SBP/DIC) offsets for survivors or allow retroactive (back to Sept 11, 2001) early retirement credit for frequently mobilized Reservists. The subcommittee continues to seek spending offsets that will allow the full committee to make progress on these and other issues.

The Defense bill now moves to the full House Armed Services Committee for consideration and the Senate will begin work on its measure next week. After both chambers pass their respective versions of the bill, a conference committee will be appointed to reconcile differences and create a final version that can be approved by both the House and Senate and sent to the President for approval.


FRA Meets with House Speaker Pelosi
FRA's National Executive Director Joe Barnes participated in a roundtable meeting of 30 military and veterans' organization leaders this week hosted by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (Calif.).  FRA National President Gary Blackburn and Director of Legislative Programs John Davis also attended. Barnes asked the Speaker to eliminate scheduled cuts in doctor reimbursements for Medicare/TRICARE, enact the "Agent Orange Equity Act" (H.R. 2254) that would abolish claims limitations for "Blue Water" veterans who served off the coast of Vietnam and were exposed to Agent Orange and other herbicides, and grant veteran status to Reservists who served 20 or more years without being mobilized. Other issues discussed include disability claims backlog at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), concurrent receipt improvements, improved administration of the Post 9/11 GI Bill, and adequate pay and end strength for active duty forces.  

More than a dozen key House lawmakers attended the event including House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (Md.), House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton (Mo.), Chairman of the House VA Committee Bob Filner (Calif.), Chairman of the House Military Construction/VA Appropriations Subcommittee Chet Edwards (Texas) and House Budget Committee Chairman John Spratt (S.C.).


FRA Opposes Amendment to Finance Reform Measure
The Senate delayed action on a key FRA-opposed floor amendment until next week. Sponsored by Sen. Sam Brownback (Kans.), the amendment (S.A. 3789) seeks to exclude auto dealers and associated lending practices from major finance reform legislation (S. 3217) being considered on Capitol Hill. The purchase of an automobile is a major financial obligation for most service members and FRA believes it is important to address auto dealers' financing and sales in the reform bill to ensure greater protections for service members and their families. Shipmates can use the FRA Action Center at www.fra.org to let their Senators know their concerns regarding the Brownback amendment.

In related news, Sens. Jack Reed (R.I.) and Scott Brown (Mass.) this week successfully amended The Restoring American Financial Stability Act (S. 3217) to include a military liaison within the Consumer Financial Protection Agency created by the legislation. FRA applauds the success, but believes this will be a hallow victory if the Brownback amendment is adopted.  

Hot Topic:  Should auto lenders be excluded from pending finance reform legislation?  Visit the Auto Lenders discussion at www.fra.org/hottopics to share your views.


Coast Guard Leadership Changes
US Coast Guard Vice Admiral Robert Papp was recently confirmed by the Senate to serve as the Coast Guard's 24th Commandant. He will assume command of the Coast Guard from Commandant Thad Allen on May 25, 2010. Papp was promoted to Flag rank in 2005 and served as Assistant Commandant for Acquisition at Coast Guard Headquarters and subsequently as Commander of the Coast Guard's Thirteenth District.

Master Chief Petty Officer Mark H. Allen will relieve Master Chief Petty Officer Jeffery D. Smith in a change-of-watch ceremony tomorrow to become the sixth Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Reserve Force. FRA congratulates Shipmates Allen and Smith for their outstanding service and leadership.

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