NewsBytes November 11, 2022
In this issue:
Election Results
Concurrent Receipt Update
TRICARE Open Enrollment Season Coming Soon
Veterans’ Day/FRA 98th Birthday
Election Results
House Republicans appear to be poised to gain control of the House of Representatives despite performing under expectations of a “Red (Republican) Wave” predicted by many election pundits. Control of the Senate remains uncertain, with three races (Arizona, Nevada and Georgia) still too close to call. It appears that the Georgia Senate race will require a run-off election in December since neither candidate received 50 percent plus one vote. According to Military Times, there were 196 military veterans who were candidates for Congress that included 130 non-incumbent candidates.
Concurrent Receipt Update
After the election the House and Senate will return to Washington, DC, to complete work on spending bills and the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The Senate Armed Services Committee has approved the Senate version of the annual NDAA (S.4543). The Senate bill will go to the Senate floor for approval. Senators Jon Tester (Mont.) and Michael Crapo (Idaho) will file a Senate floor amendment to add a provision to this bill to expand concurrent receipt.
In the House concurrent receipt legislation, the “Major Richard Starr Act” (H.R.1282) has more than 290 co-sponsors. House rules allow a member of Congress to file a motion with the House Clerk to place their legislation on the Consensus Calendar once their legislation has accumulated 290 cosponsors. If the legislation maintains at least 290 cosponsors for 25 legislative days, and the committee of jurisdiction does not report the legislation to the House floor, it will be placed on the Consensus Calendar allowing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to bring legislation to the House floor for a vote. The FRA argues that retired pay is for years of arduous military service paid by the Department of Defense while disability pay is for lifelong injury paid by the VA. To reduce retirement pay because of a disability is an injustice.
Please use the Action Center to urge your legislators to support concurrent receipt reform online.
TRICARE Open Enrollment Season Coming Soon
TRICARE Open Season will begin Monday, Nov. 14, and end Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022. Open Season provides an opportunity for beneficiaries to change their health care plan for the upcoming year. If a beneficiary is satisfied with their current plan, no action is necessary, and their coverage will continue automatically for 2023. It is important to note that new retirees have only one year to enroll for TRICARE Prime. Enrollment in TRICARE Prime or Select is not automatic for retirees (This does not apply to TRICARE-for-Life).
Veterans’ Day/FRA 98th Birthday
This Friday will mark the 104th anniversary of the armistice ending the First World War on Nov. 11, 1918. Today, November 11th, is recognized as Veterans Day. It is a long-standing tradition for many FRA Shipmates to participate in Veterans’ Day ceremonies across the country. November 11th also marks the FRA’s 98th anniversary. FRA National President James E. Robbins, Jr. will attend a White House breakfast. Later, Robbins and FRA Ladies Auxiliary National President Nadine Fulton will participate in the ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery where there will be the special wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns. NED Chris Slawinski will participate in a ceremony at the Navy Memorial in Washington, DC.
The FRA thanks Shipmates for their service in defending our Nation, and for their continued membership. Please note FRA National Headquarters will be closed Friday, November 11, in observance of Veterans’ Day.
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