Visit Your Legislators In August
During the month of August most Senators will be in their states meeting with constituents. We urge you to visit your local Senators' offices and reiterate the need for their strong support in including key issues in the Senate version of the defense bill.
We have prepared 5 fact sheets that will help you with background information, key points, specific support needed, and frequently asked questions. We have also included a few key talking points on a separate sheet. This sheet can be used as a general guide to help you when you meet with your legislator. Feel free to leave the 'background' paper behind as a way to educate and help your Senator or their staffer better understand the issue.
Locate your legislators' home office. MOAA is grateful for any grassroots support you can provide during the August recess. One of the reasons MOAA has been so successful on Capitol Hill is that we have members who are willing to contact their legislators and express their views on issues that are important to them. View legislative tips from MOAA leaders.
SBP Inequities
The Senate version of the Defense bill needs to include Senator Bill Nelson's amendment that would eliminate the SBP/DIC offset and move up the effective date of paid-up SBP to Oct. 1, 2007. It is imperative that this provision be added to the Senate version of the Defense Authorization Bill.
Concurrent Receipt
Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) signaled his intention to offer two concurrent receipt amendments to the Defense Authorization Bill to fix inequities for "unemployables" and less disabled retirees. We need your help to ensure these provisions are included in the Senate version of the Defense Authorization Bill.
Oppose TRICARE Increases
We need your help to ensure that the Senate bars DoD from increasing TRICARE fees for retirees and their families. Your Senator needs to support Senator Hagel's provision in the Senate version of the Defense Authorization Bill.
VA / DoD Transition Services
With wounded servicemembers returning from Iraq on a daily basis it is vital that your Senator support Senator Levin's Wounded Warrior provision in the Defense Authorization Bill.
Active Duty Pay Raise
We need your Senator to support separate amendments in the Defense Authorization Bill, offered by Senators Hagel (R-NE) and Kerry (D-MA), to increase the military pay raise by one-half percentage point a year for the next five years.