Newsbytes November 8, 2024
In this issue:
Election Results
Support Concurrent Receipt Legislation
HASC Urges Senate to Approve Better Benefits for Junior Enlisted
TRICARE Open Season Starts Monday
Veterans Day and FRA 100th Birthday
Election Results
In a stunning political comeback, former President Donald Trump defeated Vice President Kamala Harris to return to the White House. Republicans also gained control of the U.S. Senate. In Montana, businessman and former Navy SEAL Tim Sheehy defeated Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Jon Tester. However, as Newsbytes goes to press, numerous House races have not yet been decided, and it is unclear if House Republicans will maintain their narrow majority.
Support the Major Richard Star Concurrent Receipt Legislation
Earlier this year, the Senate Armed Services Committee approved the Senate version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and sent the bill to the Senate floor for further consideration and passage. Amendments have been filed to add the “Major Richard Star Act” (concurrent receipt reform) to the Senate NDAA. The Senate could consider the NDAA as early as next week. Over two-thirds of the House and Senate are co-sponsoring the “Major Richard Star Act.” Reducing a retiree’s pay because they are disabled is an injustice! Please ask your legislators to include this legislation in the FY 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)! https://www.votervoice.net/FRA/Campaigns/100773/Respond
HASC Members Urge Senate to Approve Better Benefits for Junior Enlisted in NDAA
All 13 members of the House Armed Services Committee’s special panel on quality of life dispatched a letter to key members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, requesting that they support certain provisions in the House version of the FY 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA-HR 8070), which passed the House in June. The panel, led by Reps. Don Bacon (Neb.) and Chrissy Houlahan (Pa.), worked for the last 22 months to dramatically improve service member pay, childcare services, and housing support in the military. The House has approved its version of the FY 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA-HR 8070), which includes the panel's recommendations. The Senate Armed Services Committee has approved the Senate version of the FY 2025 NDAA and sent it to the Senate floor for further consideration. The Senate bill's personnel provisions are woefully inadequate compared to the House-passed bill. Please urge your Senators to include House provisions in the final NDAA that include:
- Authorizing annual pay increases of 19.5% for E-1 through E-4, and 4.5% for other active-duty personnel;
- Increasing the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) to 100% of regional housing costs;
- Repealing the 180-day delay for retirees seeking DoD civilian jobs;
- Providing members of the Guard and Reserve access to the TRICARE dental program at no cost; and
- Increasing the threshold for the Basic Needs Allowance (BNA) from 150% to 200% of federal poverty guidelines.
These changes are needed to address recruitment and retention challenges. Please ask your Senators to include these House provisions in the Senate NDAA bill. https://www.votervoice.net/FRA/Campaigns/116458/Respond
TRICARE Open Season Starts Soon
TRICARE Open Season begins Monday, Nov. 11, 2024. If you are a TRICARE beneficiary, this is the time to enroll in a health plan or change health plans for coverage starting Jan. 1, 2025. You can make these changes through Tuesday, Dec. 10. For more information, please go to: https://newsroom.tricare.mil/News/TRICARE-News/Article/3944525/qa-what-to-know-as-tricare-open-season-begins-nov-11
Veterans Day/FRA 100th Birthday/Marine Corps 249th Birthday
This Monday will mark the 106th 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. This November 11th also marks FRA's 100th anniversary. FRA is the lead organization for the Department of Veterans Affairs National Celebration and is hosting the Arlington Cemetery event. FRA’s annual National Convention begins on Tuesday, November 12.
The FRA National President John S. Handzuk (Branch 126) will attend a White House breakfast. Later, NP John Handzuk will participate in the ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery with a special wreath-laying ceremony and will introduce the keynote speaker at the event.
NED Phillip Reid will participate in a ceremony at the Navy Memorial in Washington, DC. The Marine Corps observes the 249th anniversary on November 10th, 2024.
FRA thanks its members for their service in defending our nation and for their continued membership.