With most of the activity on Capitol Hill more intent on gearing up for the 114th Congress, there are few areas of focus for veterans, but the ones that are still out there are fairly important. 

Against the wishes of veterans and active-duty servicemembers alike, military benefits are already under attack with proposed Senate amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).  These amendments would reduce cost –of-living increases to figures lower than those for the rest of federal workers, and would include reductions in housing allowance that would affect active-duty as well as GI Bill recipients. It’s important that veterans hold their lawmakers’ feet to the fire and to say no to these changes.

The Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission will release its report in February 2015, and there will be plenty of time then to debate what -- if anything -- needs to be done to pay and benefits. But jumping the gun before the report is even released is just plain wrong and hurts those who serve. 

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., promised Sen. Mark Begich, D-Alaska, during the campaign season that the advance appropriations measure,  Putting Veterans Funding First Act (S. 932) would be brought up for a vote “in November” but the month’s legislative days have come and gone with no vote. 

With scarce days left in December to take action and make certain that veterans funding is assured -- even in the face of government shutdowns -- pressure must be brought to bear on Senate leadership to act and help keep veterans from being political bargaining chips in budget battles.

With these major fights still on the table, there is also still a possibility that some individual bills, such as the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for America’s Veterans Act (H.R. 5059) could come to the floor for votes, although floor time is likely to be limited with the passage of critical funding measures (such as a continuing resolution) and the NDAA still in the mix.

Sincerely,

Ian de Planque,Director, Legislative Division