NewsBytes October 6, 2023
In his issue:
House Speaker Ousted
Pay Our Troops
VA Cemetery Survey
New U.S. Senator
Correction
FRA NHQ Closed
House Speaker Ousted
The House of Representatives voted to depose the Speaker of the House, Kevin McCarthy (Calif.). Removing the speaker creates an uncertain future for Congress. It’s unclear who will be the next speaker. The House Clerk announced that Rep. Patrick McHenry (NC) will serve as temporary speaker until a new Speaker is elected by the members of the House. According to Politico the last time the House deposed a speaker was in 1910 and that effort was unsuccessful. The House is expected to try to select a new speaker next week.
Pay Our Troops
The House passed a Continuing Resolution (CR), that funds the government through November 17 with a 335-91 vote. The Senate then passed it (88-9), only hours before the deadline to avoid a government shutdown. In the event of a shutdown military retirees will continue to be paid and get their TRICARE benefits because funding for these benefits is not required to be appropriated by Congress (mandatory funding). Social Security and Medicare will also continue to operate. Those receiving veterans’ benefits will continue to receive them because the Department of Veterans Affairs has two-year funding and already has funding for FY2024.
However, if there is a government shutdown on November 17, active-duty uniform service members will not be paid until Congress passes a budget or a CR. Those who put their lives on the line to protect our country should never go without a paycheck. That is why the FRA is supporting the “Pay Our Troops Act” (H.R. 5641/S. 2835) sponsored by Rep. Jen Kiggins (Va.) and Sen. Dan Sullivan (Alaska) respectively. This legislation mandates that members of the Armed Forces both reserve and active duty will be paid during a shutdown. Also, Coast Guard, DoD civilian employees, and Defense contractors will continue to be paid. Members can weigh in on this issue at: https://www.votervoice.net/FRA/Campaigns/108007/Respond
VA Cemetery Survey
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), National Cemetery Administration has released a survey to determine awareness of burial options and end-of-life benefits for veterans. If you are a veteran, family member, survivor, caregiver, or friend, please take a few minutes to answer these questions so VA is better able to serve you. Take the survey.
New U.S. Senator from California
In the wake of Senator Diane Feinstein’s death, California Governor Gavin Newsom appointed EMILY’s List President Laphonza Butler to serve as U.S. Senator from California. The appointment was done without preconditions for his appointee not to run for the Senate seat in 2024.
Correction
During the 95th annual FRA National Convention held in Reno, Nevada,
Shipmate Robert Behm (Branch 32) was appointed National Chaplin and Shipmate George Hyland (Branch 20) was appointed National Parlimentarian. These Shipmates will serve until the next National Convention, which will be held in Annapolis, Maryland.
FRA NHQ Closed Monday
In observance of Columbus Day the FRA NHQ will be closed on Monday, October 9, 2023.
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