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mission, this isn’t a statistical anomaly, it’s the emergence of a disturbing trend. Even though Congress limited changes in commissary funding, housing allowanc- es, and pharmacy copayments to one year, this easily could be perceived as support for chipping away at these benefits. The ugly: In two obscured sections of a

joint explanatory statement of the defense bill, House and Senate Armed Services committee members stated they have not yet rejected DoD plans to further erode housing allowances or increase TRICARE pharmacy fees and will again “commit to consider” these proposals next year. But if sequestration returns, an even uglier scenario will be on the horizon. The joint statement goes on to say that if seques- tration returns, “DoD will need to make painful cuts and achieve substantial savings across its entire budget in order to avoid an unacceptable reduction in readiness.” Unacceptable readiness can be the

result of a variety of shortfalls in either inadequate training or equipment. But we must not lose sight that the erosion of pay and benefits in the past led to poor recruiting and retention, resulting in unacceptable readiness issues. It appears we are heading down that path again. MOAA will continue to remind Congress

erosions to pay and benefits led to signifi- cant readiness problems in the past.

Leadership W

Shakeup New faces will lead key congressional committees.

ith Republicans taking control of the Senate and several key legislators retiring

from office, the House and Senate Armed Services and Veterans’ Affairs commit-

tees will have several new leaders in the 114th Congress. In the House, longtime champion

Rep. Howard “Buck” McKeon (R-Calif.) retired and left his post as chair of the House Armed Services Committee. Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-Texas) replaced him. Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.) remains ranking member. Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) moved on

from chair of the Military Personnel subcommittee to chair the Intelligence, Emerging Treats, and Capabilities sub- committee. Rep. Joe Heck (R-Nev.) — a brigadier general in the Army Reserve — took his place. Rep. Susan Davis (D- Calif.) remains the ranking member. Rep. Jeff Miller (R-Fla.) remains chair

of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee. But ranking member Rep. Michael Michaud (D-Maine) retired, and Rep. Corrine Brown (D-Fla.) was chosen to take his place. With Republicans in control of the

Senate, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) be- came chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Former Chair Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.) retired, and Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) stepped into the ranking member position. Sen. Lindsay Graham (R-S.C) became chair of the Military Personnel subcom- mittee, and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D- N.Y.) moved to ranking member. Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) is the new chair of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Com- mittee, replacing Sen. Bernie Sanders (I- Vt.). Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) is the new ranking member. MOAA President Vice Adm. Norbert

R. Ryan Jr., USN (Ret), already began making the rounds on Capitol Hill to welcome the new leaders. With so many challenges ahead in 2015, it will be cru- cial to foster a productive relationship to support the all-volunteer force and our nation’s veterans.

Rep. Jeff Miller

(R-Fla.)

Rep. Mac Thornberry

(R-Texas)

Sen. John McCain

(R-Ariz.)

Sen. Johnny Isakson

(R-Ga.)

FEBRUARY 2015 MILITARY OFFICER 33