military to the Veterans Affairs health care system. Tese are important steps, but providing the best pos-
sible pay, benefits, and health care for military families is an ongoing task. We should constantly examine our com- pensation programs and other factors that affect military families to search for improvements. I am confident that work will continue. But it will be a much harder job if we can’t solve the
budget pressures that affect the DoD budget and all other areas of federal spending, especially when those pressures are self-inflicted. I am hopeful that Congress will tackle sequestration.
Tese arbitrary budget cuts have damaged our national security programs and programs that provide for our mili- tary and military families, along with valuable domestic programs in education, health care, and scientific research. Meanwhile, the other Senate panel that I chair, the Per- manent Subcommittee on Investigations, has shown how some of the most profitable corporations are avoiding hun- dreds of billions of dollars in taxes through unjustified tax loopholes, including shifting their profits from the United
States to shell companies they create in tax havens. It makes no sense to continue spending cuts that harm
our troops and their families, and our security, while that tax avoidance continues. You, and our nation, deserve better. I hope Congress can craft a plan to replace sequestration, using revenue from closed loopholes along with careful sav- ings in entitlement programs. Doing so would honor both those priorities I mentioned: It would allow our military to better protect the nation by eliminating budget cuts that reduce readiness and investments in modernization, and it would help us to continue providing good pay and benefits to military families. Over the last 36 years, I have met more members of our
military, military families, and veterans than I can count. From my first day in the Senate, I have been awed by your courage, skill, and sacrifice, by your steadfastness and your love of country. It has been an honor for me to join with colleagues of both parties to help provide the tools, train- ing, support, and compensation to help you accomplish your mission. To all those who serve or have served: Tank you for your remarkable contributions to our great nation.
SCOTT AFB VISIT
CEO Rob Frank recently visited Scott AFB, Ill., leadership and with members from AFSA Chapter 872. Frank was invited to provide remarks at Scott’s Retiree Appreciation Day, but his itinerary included visits with the Command Chief, Security Forces Airmen during Guard Mount, base fire fighters, and members of the local AFSA Chapter.
AFSA Magazine • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 15
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