washingtonscene
Until the past couple of years, Army Rep. Walter Jones’s (R-N.C.) bill — H.R.
leaders insisted they didn’t need a larger 5441 — would extend the new $50-a-
force, even while acknowledging the ardu- month survivor indemnity allowance to
ous overseas rotation requirements of a survivors of those who die on active duty.
“long war” in Iraq and Afghanistan. The FY 2008 Defense Authorization Act
The Air Force made conscious decisions authorized this allowance for surviv-
to cut tens of thousands of people — not be- ing spouses who suffer deduction of VA
cause people weren’t needed, but to free up survivor benefi ts from their military SBP
money to pay for new weapons, which still annuities but denied eligibility if the ser-
haven’t materialized. Now, the chickens are vicemember died on active duty.
coming home to roost, and Air Force lead- Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.) reintroduced an
ers are acknowledging what was known all updated bill — S. 22 — to establish a war-
along — they cut too many people. time Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) for ser-
It would be nice if this were a harbinger vicemembers who have served on active
of things to come and all service leaders duty since Sept. 11, 2001. The new version
would start putting personnel needs on of S. 22 would include the following:
par with weapons needs. a73 cover the highest state-by-state cost of
For the past three years, service leaders public colleges or universities;
have been urging Congress to cut career a73 let activated guardmembers and
military health benefi ts by $1,000-$2,000 reservists accrue up to 36 months of
a year so they could get more money to put MGIB benefi ts in return for extended
into weapons. Why not, while making up active duty service;
unfunded requirements lists, ask Congress a73 establish additional cost-of-living stipend;
to put enough money into the defense bud- a73 open benefi ts to service academy and
get to fund both weapons and health care ROTC scholarship graduates who agree to
needs? We can dream, can’t we? a service extension; and
a73 allow partnerships with private univer-
Key Bills
sities to split any cost above the allowable
amount for a public school.
Introduced
Rep. Gus Bilirakis’ (R-Fla.) bill —
H.R. 5481 — would authorize a 3.9-per-
Measures would improve
cent military pay raise for 2009, versus
military benefi ts.
the 3.4-percent pay raise proposed in the
defense budget.
Sen. Bob Corker’s (R-Tenn.) bill —
A
number of new bills introduced S. 2599 — would provide education and
in the House and Senate in recent employment opportunities for military
weeks are of signifi cant interest spouses by expanding federal employment
to the military and veterans’ community. preferences, allow transferability of MGIB
MOAA supports all of the following bills. benefi ts to family members, and extend
Sen. Debbie Stabenow’s (D-Mich.) bill tax incentives to companies who hire tele-
— S. 2785 — would reverse the 10.6-percent commuting military spouses. MO
cut in Medicare and TRICARE payments to
doctors scheduled to take effect July 1. Such
— Contributors are Col. Steve Strobridge, USAF-
a cut would further reduce the number of
Ret., direct or; Col. Mike Hayden, USAF-Ret.; Col.
doctors willing to accept military and Medi-
Bob Norton, USA-Ret.; Cmdr. René Campos, USN-
Ret.; Cmdr. John Class, USN-Ret.; Col. Phil Odom,
care patients. This bill would provide a 1.8-
USAF-Ret.; Joy Dunlap; Cass Vreeland; and Bret
percent increase to physicians instead. Shea, MOAA’s Government Relations Department.
4 0 M I L I T A R Y O F F I C E R M AY 2 0 0 8
MMay_scene.indd
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