NGAUS LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
What's Happening in Congress?
NGAUS Supports Youth ChalleNGe
NGAUS strongly supports the award winning community
based National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program.
Administered by the National Guard Bureau, the program
successfully trains and mentors at-risk youth to become
productive citizens. Nearly 7,000 students drop out of
high school daily, putting them at great risk for
substance abuse, teen pregnancy, delinquency and
involvement in criminal activities. The National Guard
Youth ChalleNGe Program is a 17 month voluntary program
that gives at-risk youths a second chance to develop and
grow in a positive direction.
The Youth ChalleNGe Program is the second largest
mentoring program in the United States. It currently
operates at 35 program sites in 28 states and the
territory of Puerto Rico. The program emphasizes service
to community, leadership development, team building,
life skills training, health education, physical
activity, educational and vocational instruction,
citizenship, positive relationship with adults and peers
and career guidance. Its success in motivating nearly
60,000 former drop outs to obtain high school diplomas
or GED certificates speaks for itself.
Please ask your Representative to co-sponsor House
Resolution 1202 to support the past, current and future
students of the Program and the goals and ideals of a
National Youth ChalleNGe Day. This growing program that
makes such a measurable difference in the lives of our
nation's youth needs the support of every member of
Congress.
Anti-Foreclosure Measure for Service members
After serving on active duty, many of our members in a
slowing economy are returning to lower paying jobs while
others face unemployment. Economically stressed members
with onerous mortgage obligations face the real prospect
of home foreclosure from not being able to afford the
same. For a reasonable period after returning to
civilian life, our National Guard members in this
uncertain economic time require realistic protections
from home foreclosure as well as opportunities to work
out their mortgage obligations with their creditors in a
meaningful way.
NGAUS strongly supports S.2992, introduced by NY Senator
Hillary Clinton, which would extend mortgage foreclosure
protection under the Service members' Civil Relief Act
from 90 days to one year post deployment, and encourages
mortgage creditors and lenders to work out debts from
service members, to avoid foreclosure.
Congress Reviews Supplemental
The FY08/09 Supplemental DOD Appropriations bills being
considered in Congress contain some provisions favorable
to the National Guard. However, passage of the
legislation is questionable pending conference
negotiations.The House version of the bill, brought
directly to the floor by Democratic leadership,
bypassing the customary mark-up process, proposed
spending more than $183.686 billion, just under the
President's request of $183.77 billion.The proposal was
divided into three Amendments:
Amendment #1 - Department of Defense Funding included
$162.5 billion; $96.6 billion for FY 2008 ($3.4 billion
below the President's request), and $65.9 billion for FY
2009 ($79 million below the President's request).
Although House leadership did not anticipate having
votes from Democrats who oppose the Iraq war, they did
not count on the number of Republicans who voted
"present", resulting in a defeat of Amendment #1 by a
vote of 141-149.
Amendment #2 - Iraq Policy, included provisions that
troops begin redeployment from Iraq within 30 days, with
a goal of completing withdrawal of combat troops by
December of 2009, and requires that any agreement
between the United States and the Government of Iraq
committing U.S. forces be specifically authorized by
Congress, and that U.S. reconstruction aid for Iraq be
matched dollar-for-dollar by the Iraqi Government.
It passed along party lines by a vote of 227-196.
Amendment #3 - contained domestic spending initiatives
and expanded GI benefits for veterans education that
would restore the promise of a full, four-year college
education, a stipend for books and a monthly housing
allowance, similar to the benefits provided to our World
War II veterans (estimated 2 year cost of $720 million
and 10-year estimate of $51.8 billion). It passed by a
vote of 256-166. Since President Bush is expected to
veto the bill if the final version includes Iraq policy
restrictions and domestic spending measures, the
ultimate outcome will depend on conference negotiations
with the Senate.
Additional provisions significant to the National Guard
include;* Funding of the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration
Program
* Support of Pre and Post-Mobilization Training for
Reserve and Guard units
* 10 CH-47 Chinook helicopters (including 6 for the
National Guard)
* $825 million for National Guard and Reserve Equipment,
of which $625 million is for the Army National Guard
* $1.3 billion to equip Army National Guard with Joint
Network Node communications
Details of the Defense Authorization Act Released
The House included $800 million for the National Guard &
Reserve Equipment Account, allowing CNGB to execute
directly on the equipment needs of the ARNG; the Senate
authorized $391 million for ARNG shortfalls within Army
procurement accounts.
* The House put a halt to maintenance consolidation in
the ANG by requiring the Air Force to consult with the
NGB.
* The House and Senate both increased full-time AGR
positions to 73% of the validated requirement, though
they funded the increase differently; the Senate also
increased Dual-Status MilTechs to 73% of the
requirement.
* The House put in several provisions regarding Joint
Duty Credit for Guard officers, including credit for
TAGs and seeking a report on awarding credit to
positions within states' Joint Forces Headquarters.
* There is a provision in the House bill to allow up to
three RC Flag or General Officers on the Joint Staff
(currently limited to two).
* 3.9% pay raise included in both House and Senate
versions
* Both versions include provisions to require TRICARE
Reserve Select premiums be calculated according to
actual cost of coverage rather than projected cost.
* Regarding dental readiness, the Senate version
requires screenings within 75 days of mobilization and
waives copayments in times of national emergency.
* The House is seeking a report from OSD on the CNGR
recommendations and how the National Guard Reserves can
be enhanced.
Tax Code to Benefit Military Personnel
By a vote of 403-0 the House of Representatives passed
H.R. 6081 sponsored by NY Representative Rangel which
would amend the Internal Revenue Code to benefit
military personnel. The bill would allow active duty
reservists to make penalty free withdrawals from
retirement accounts, would include combat pay as earned
income for purposes of the Earned Income Tax Credit,
would provide a tax credit of up to $4,000 to small
businesses that continue to pay tier National Guard and
Reserve employees who are serving on active duty and
would make thousands of veterans eligible for low
interest homeowner loans.
NGAUS LEGISLATIVE STAFF:
Richard Green, Legislative Director
Pete Duffy, Deputy Director
Chris DeBatt, Army Programs
Emily Breitbach, Air Programs
Bernie Phelps, Senior Analyst
Dixie Ross, Legislative Analyst
