Last year Military.com members sent over a quarter of a million letters to Congress, DoD, VA and the White House. The issues this year are no less important. In 2012 and 2013 programs for servicemembers, veterans, and their families could face the sequestration axe if Congress and the White House don't reach an agreement on deficit reduction. Even if sequestration is avoided, the 2013 Defense Budget includes other budget cuts that could impact benefits like TRICARE enrollment fees, commissaries, and tuition assistance. In addition, pending legislation could impact survivor benefits, GI Bill, military retirement, and concurrent receipt could pass or die in congress without your input. Here are some of the “Hot Button” issues and pending legislation that you may want to sound off about:
- The Politics of Sequestration
- Spouses of Heroes Education Act
- Eliminate Fraud from Veteran Pension Program
- Servicemember Family Protection Act
- The GI Bill Consumer Awareness Act of 2012
- Protecting Students from Worthless Degrees
- Slowing the Increase in Military Pay
- Expand Guard and Reserve Space "A" Travel
- Military and Veterans Educational Reform Act of 2012
- Proposed TRICARE Hikes for Military Retirees and Families
- Proposed 2013 Defense Budget
- S.3474 Protecting Students from Worthless Degrees Act
- S.2241 GI Bill Consumer Awareness Act of 2012
- S.2179 Military and Veterans Educational Reform Act of 2012
- S.2116 Military and Veterans Education Protection Act
- S.1852 Spouses of Heroes Education Act
- S.1629 Agent Orange Equity Act of 2011
- S.866 Reserve Retirement Deployment Credit Correction Act
- S.724 Ensuring Pay for Our Military Act of 2011
- S.697 Military Spouse Job Continuity Act
- S.344 and H.R.303 Retired Pay Restoration Act of 2011 - Full Concurrent Receipt
- S.260 End Surivor Benefit Plan Offset
- S.146 Veteran Employment Transition Act
- H.R.4201 Servicemember Family Protection Act
- H.R.4103 Canine Members of the Armed Forces Act
- H.R.3612 Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2011
- H.R.1110 The Combat Act of 2011
- H.R.1092 Military Retirees Health Care Protection Act
- H.R.1025 Honor the Guard and Reserve Act
- H.R.333 Disabled Veterans Tax Termination Act
- H.R.186 Extended Concurrent Receipt Eligibility
- H.R.181 National Guardsmen and Reservists Parity for Patriots Act
- H.R.179 Reserve Health Care Coverage
- H.R.178 Military Surviving Spouses Equity Act
- H.R.115 CHAMPVA Children's Protection Act of 2011
