Full Speed Ahead
In April, MOAA council leaders Stormed the Hill to press the association’s legislative agenda. You can build on this momentum to help us achieve SBP reform and other goals.
By Vice Adm. Norbert R. Ryan Jr., USN-Ret.

A very successful council presidents’ meeting took place in Alexandria, Va., April 6-8. Three days of jam-packed meetings and events were designed both to gain maximum exposure for our legislative goals and to focus on council and chapter matters.

On Wednesday, participants discussed the issues MOAA would bring to the attention of legislators when we Stormed the Hill Thursday — particularly our efforts to correct the remaining inequities
in the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP).

That evening, MOAA hosted its ninth annual award ceremony, attended by some 300 people, including members of Congress and the administration and their staffs, MOAA council presidents, and members of MOAA’s board of directors. The association honored Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) and Rep. Jeff Miller (R-Fla.) for their leadership enacting legislation to eliminate the SBP age-62 “widows tax.” MOAA also honored Rep. Bill Young (R-Fla.) for his tireless work supporting military servicemembers and recognized Bob Nardelli, CEO of The Home Depot, for his company’s support of its 1,800 employees called up for active service in Guard and Reserve units. Finally, Mike Higgins and Debra Wada, both of the House Armed Services Committee staff, received the Col. Paul W. Arcari Meritorious Service Award for their behind-the-scenes work on eliminating the SBP offset, commissary protections, and a variety of other issues. (Read more about MOAA’s annual awards in the July issue of Military Officer.)

On Thursday, council presidents, directors, and staff Stormed the Hill and met with legislators and staff members. We forcefully stated the case to repeal the SBP/Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) offset, accelerate the effective date for paid-up SBP, expand concurrent receipt, and improve reserve health care. Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) addressed the assembled council presidents that evening and warned that the all-volunteer force appears to be in jeopardy — a position MOAA has taken for some years now.

On Friday, council presidents and MOAA staff members wrapped things up by sharing ideas for improving chapters and supporting the legislative process.

Was the week worth the time and effort? Absolutely. Cosponsorship of bills on SBP/DIC and paid-up SBP has doubled since mid-March, due in large part to MOAA’s Storming the Hill effort. Now we need you to build on that momentum with calls, e-mails, and letters to your legislators.