Weekly newsletter of the Fleet Reserve Association

April 13, 2018

FRA Storms Capitol Hill
FRA Honors Congressman Coffman
VA Secretary Urges Congress to Pass Choice Reform
Senate Appropriations Chair Changes

FRA Storms Capitol Hill
The FRA National Board of Directors and other Association leaders "stormed" Capitol Hill this week. Storm the Hill is designed to bring the enlisted perspective to Capitol Hill as members visit their elected officials in Washington, D.C. These Shipmates shared the Association's position on priority legislative issues with their senators and representatives. They asked their legislators to extend veterans disability benefits to "Blue Water" Vietnam veterans exposed to the Agent Orange while serving off the coast of Vietnam. Additionally, requests were made to pass concurrent receipt reform and to exclude Defense from sequestration. FRA would like to thank members who used the FRA website to weigh in on these and other issues.
 
FRA Honors Congressman Mike Coffman
For the past 22 years, FRA has presented its highest award to a member of Congress who goes above and beyond in advancing FRA's Legislative Agenda.  FRA presented its prestigious annual Pinnacle Award to Congressman Mike Coffman. He was first elected to Congress in 2008. He currently serves as Chairman of the House Armed Services, Military Personnel Subcommittee. Under his leadership, the Subcommittee has blocked TRICARE fee increases (last year's TRICARE fee increases were proposed in the Senate Defense Authorization bill) and authorized a larger than requested active duty pay increase. Coffman is the only veteran in the Colorado delegation and the only member of Congress to have served in both Iraq Wars. His military service include, serving in the Marine Corps, the Marine Corps Reserve, the Army and Army reserves.

Acting VA Secretary Urges Congress to Pass VA Choice Reform
Acting Director of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Robert Wilkie requested that Congress pass the bipartisan "Caring for Our Veterans Act" (S.2193). This Act is designed to reform the VA's health care system by providing easier access for veterans to meet with private-sector doctors. Furthermore, it expands the VA's caregivers assistance program. The bill includes $3 billion in additional funding for the current VA Choice Program and was strongly supported by former VA Secretary David Shulkin. Robert Wilkie's letter to House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Chairmen as well as Ranking Members, states "America's veterans are looking to Congress and VA to come together now to provide them the best possible solutions for their care." 

FRA supports this legislation and members are encouraged to use the FRA Action Center to weigh in on this issue. 

Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Changes
The Senate announced Senator Richard Shelby (Ala.) as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations for the remainder of the calendar year. Shelby is concurrently serving in his sixth term as senator, and taking the place of Senator Thad Cochran (Miss.), who retired from office earlier this month due to failing health.

Like Cochran, Shelby will serve as both the Chairman of the full Committee and the Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense. Senator Shelby said he was, "proud to take on a larger role, helping to secure funding to strengthen our military."

White House and congressional negotiators have already set a spending outline for FY2019 defense spending at $716 billion. However, the Defense Subcommittee will be responsible for outlining the spending specifics in the next few months.

In addition, Senator Jerry Moran (Kan.) is stepping down as Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs (MilCon/VA) to serve as Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies. The new Chairman of the MilCon/VA will be Senator John Boozman (Ark.), who also serves on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee.