NewsBytes December 16, 2022
In this issue:
Most Recent NDAA Update
Must Pass CR Still Pending
Small Veterans Increase in Next Congress
Exposure Registry for Hawaii Red Hill Water Contamination
NDAA Update
As NewsBytes goes to press the Senate is expected to approve a new House approved version of the NDAA (H.R.1776) and send it to President Biden to be signed into law. This bill, already approved by the House, authorizes $45 billion above the president’s budget request to address some of the effects of inflation and accelerate implementation of the National Defense Strategy. Other important provisions in the new NDAA include:
• No new TRICRE fee increases;
• Providing an annual active duty pay increase of 4.6 percent;
• Increasing funding ($210 million) for commissaries to help offset prices;
• Creating an open season during calendar year 2023 for eligible retirees to opt-in or out of the Survivor Benefit Program (SBP);
• Increasing eligibility and allowance for Basic Needs Allowance;
• Rescinding the mandate for all service members to receive the COVID-19 vaccine;
• Extending temporary increases in BAH;
• Requiring DoD to defuel Red Hill Bulk Fuel Facility by a deadline approved by the state of Hawaii;
• Providing financial reimbursement for moving expenses for spouses with home businesses;
• Increasing oversight of privatized military housing;
• Requiring study of military suicide by occupational specialty; and
• Mandating DoD report on military installations with limited childcare availability
If this legislation passes, as expected, it will be the 62nd consecutive year Congress has been able to pass a bipartisan Defense authorization bill.
Must Pass CR Still Pending
As NewsBytes goes to press, the House approved and the Senate is expected to pass a stopgap funding measure, known as a Continuing Resolution (CR) to prevent the U.S. Government from partially shutting down on Dec. 16, when the current CR expires. This second CR will keep the government open at current spending levels until Dec. 23, 2022. This will give Congress time to approve appropriations (spending) bills and to be signed into law by the president.
In the event of a government shutdown active-duty military personnel will be paid because they are considered “essential workers.” Retirees will continue to be paid and get their TRICARE benefits because funding for their benefits are not required to be appropriated by Congress (mandatory funding). Those receiving veterans’ benefits will also continue to get benefits because the Department of Veterans Affairs has two-year funding (an FRA supported initiative) and already has funding for FY2023.
Small Increase of Veterans in Next Congress
According to the Pew Research Center, the new (118th) Congress that will be sworn in on January 3, 2023, will have two more veterans than the previous Congress. That share of lawmakers is still near a record low. The House will have 80 members who are veterans (18.4 percent) compared to the previous session where the House had 75 members (17.2 percent) who have served. The partisan breakdown of veterans in the House will be 62 Republicans and 18 Democrats. The number of veterans in the Senate will remain the same at 17.
Between 1965 and 1975, at least 70 percent of the members in each chamber had military experience, reflecting the mass mobilizations for World War II and the Korean War. Most of the veterans in the next Congress will be post-Vietnam veterans.
Exposure Registry for Hawaii Red Hill Water Contamination
The Department of Defense (DoD) has created an exposure registry for servicemembers, their families, and others who were impacted by the Navy Water Distribution System in and around Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, to include the recent water contamination from the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility. Individuals are encouraged to call 1-800-984-8523, and press 2 to join the Oahu Military Water Contamination Incident Report Registry. Servicemembers should also ensure their exposure is documented in their medical records. All affected personnel are encouraged to request toxic exposure screenings from their primary care providers.
For additional information go online to Joint Base Pearl-Harbor Hickam Water Updates . https://www.cpf.navy.mil/JBPHH-Water-Updates/
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