NewsBytes August 2, 2019
In this issue:
Senate Approves Budget Agreement
FRA Wants Fiscal Support for AOBWN
CNO Nominee Hearing
Senate Approves Budget Agreement
As predicted in last week’s NewsBytes the Senate passed (67-28) the two-year budget deal (H.R.3877) that in effect repeals the Budget Control Act spending caps, known as sequestration. The bill now goes to President Trump and he is expected to sign it into law. The FRA opposes sequestration because it poses a threat to national security and would substantially impact service member pay and benefits. These automatic cuts require that 50 percent come from Defense, even though Defense makes up only 16 percent of the entire federal budget.
The budget deal will clear the way for appropriations (spending) bills for FY2020 and FY2021. Specifically, the bill provides $738 billion in Defense spending for FY2020. That is less than requested by the administration ($750 billion) and more than the House Democrats wanted to spend ($733 billion). In addition, the agreement suspends the debt ceiling for two-years. The suspension will allow the federal government to borrow and spend without having to worry about being limited by the debt ceiling.
FRA Wants Fiscal Support for AOBWN Implementation
The FRA, along with several other organizations, have dispatched a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.), Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (N.Y.), Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (Calif.), and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (Calif.) to request adequate funding to ensure a smooth implementation of disability benefits for Blue Water Navy Veterans. The letter states that the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) and the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) cannot effectively implement the new law if they are not provided adequate funding.
According to the Aug. 1, 2018, testimony of VA Under Secretary for Benefits Dr. Paul Lawrence, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) estimates the cost of extending benefits to blue-water veterans will be $5.7 billion. The VA also anticipates an additional $1 billion is necessary to cover increased health care expenditures, operating expenses and information technology support for the VBA. In a Sept. 7, 2018, letter from VA Secretary Robert Wilkie, the VA further estimates it will require 803 new employees to manage these claims. The VA predicts there will be thousands more claims than the number estimated by the Congressional Budget Office.
The FRA-endorsed letter urges Congress to appropriate suitable resources for the complete and immediate implementation of the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act. Congress will need to assist the VA to ensure this vulnerable group receives in a timely manner the health care and benefits they have been denied for decades.
CNO Nominee Hearing
The Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) held a hearing for Vice Adm. Mike Gilday to become the next Chief of Naval Operations (CNO). The position requires Senate approval. SASC Chairman, Senator Inhofe expressed his concerns over the Navy’s ability to maintain the current navy fleet let alone grow it to 350 ships. Vice Adm. Gilday said military housing is a priority for the Navy because it impacts readiness and sailors cannot focus on the mission if he/she is worried about housing conditions for their family. Other topics included the constant delays and cost of the aircraft carrier USS FORD, threats from China and Russia, the arctic, and working with the Commandant of the Marine Corps. Gilday stated that his priorities include sustaining readiness and modernizing.
Vice Adm. Gilday is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and holds Masters Degrees from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and the National War College. He has served on teams that have been recognized with numerous awards and is the recipient of the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal (four awards), Legion of Merit (three awards), Bronze Star, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat “V” and the Combat Action Ribbon. He is expected to be confirmed.
In related news, the SASC also approved (20-7) the nomination of Air Force Gen. John Hyten to be the second-highest ranking U.S. military officer (Vice Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff) amid a sexual-assault allegation against him.
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