Newsbytes May 10, 2024
In this issue:
Vote to Oust Speaker Fails
USCG Relieves MCPOCGR
Simplifying VA Disability Compensation Notice Letters
VA Warns Veterans About Fraud
Happy Birthday Navy Nurse Corps
Vote to Oust Speaker Fails
An overwhelming majority of Republicans and Democrats joined forces to defeat a motion to remove Rep. Mike Johnson (La.) from his position as Speaker of the House. This motion was sponsored by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (Ga.). The House voted 359-43-7 to table the motion-to-vacate resolution, effectively preventing the proposal from being considered. This outcome means that Speaker Johnson, who won the gavel in October following the ouster of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (Calif.), will remain in the top position heading into November's elections.
USCG Relieves MCPOCGR
The U.S. Coast Guard has temporarily relieved Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Reserve, Timothy Beard, of his duties. The Coast Guard took this action due to a loss of confidence in Beard's judgment and his ability to fulfill his assigned responsibilities, following an administrative investigation. Beard has been temporarily reassigned to the Office of the Coast Guard Reserve at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C. Coast Guard officials stated that the investigation involved allegations of "inappropriate misconduct." In a statement, they emphasized that "leaders must lead by example and uphold the highest standards." They added that if unsatisfactory conduct is substantiated, the Coast Guard will take appropriate action, including removal from leadership positions, to ensure that those who violate its values are held accountable for their actions.
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Reserve, Timothy A. Beard, assumed his duties as the 8th Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Reserve on May 19, 2022. He is the senior enlisted member of the Coast Guard Reserve and the principal advisor to the Commandant on all enlisted personnel matters.
In related news, the USCG also relieved the Coast Guard Chaplain, Capt. Daniel Mode, on April 24, 2024, due to a "loss of confidence" in his judgment. The Coast Guard has been under scrutiny since last year following reports that senior officials covered up an extensive investigation into cases of sexual assault and harassment at the Coast Guard Academy dating back decades.
Simplifying VA Disability Compensation Notice Letters
The House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman, Mike Bost (Ill.), sent a letter to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary, Denis McDonough, detailing concerns about the VA's oversight of International Business Machines (IBM), as it relates to their handling of incorrect notice letters that veterans received when applying for their VA disability benefits compensation or pension.
IBM is contracted by the VA to send automated letters to veterans regarding their applications for disability compensation benefits. During a March oversight hearing, the Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs (DAMA) subcommittee heard directly from veterans and advocates about the struggles veterans and their survivors face due to the complexity and length of VA notice letters, which can be overwhelming and cause undue stress.
Following the oversight hearing, the VA revealed that IBM wrongfully sent notice letters to nearly 6,000 veterans, informing them that they had submitted the wrong claim form and instructing them to submit an incorrect form, potentially depriving them of months of backpay. This occurred because the VA did not record the correct submission dates due to the use of incorrect forms.
Full text of the letter from HVAC Chairman Bost to Secretary McDonough can be found [here].
VA Warns Veterans About Fraud
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is warning veterans to be on the lookout for fraudulent activity. The VA will never reach out to veterans to solicit money for research. When interacting with the VA, always ensure that you are using a VA.gov website:
- Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil—before sharing sensitive information, ensure that you are on a federal government site.
- The "https://" prefix ensures that you're connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and sent securely.
The VA encourages veterans to report any suspicious requests to their local authorities. For more information about fraud protection, visit VA.gov/VSAFE. You can also access the VA Fraud Protection Kit.
Happy Birthday Navy Nurse Corps
The U.S. Navy Nurse Corps was officially established by Congress on May 13, 1908. However, unofficially, women had been working as nurses aboard Navy ships and in Navy hospitals for nearly 100 years before the Corps was created.