Visit Your Senators In August
During the month of August most Senators will be in their home states meeting with constituents. We hope you visit them in their offices and urge their support for several key amendments to the FY2009 Defense Authorization Bill (S. 3001) that the Senate will vote on soon after returning in September.
We have prepared 4 fact sheets to help you do this. They include the specific support needed, background information, talking points, and answers to possible questions. Feel free to leave these papers behind to help your Senators and their staff.
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.
You can use MOAA’s website to locate your legislator’s office. Then contact your legislator and set up a meeting to discuss of few of the issues below.
SBP Inequities
Senator Bill Nelson's (D-FL) proposed amendment would end the SBP/DIC offset. We need your Senators to support this amendment and make sure it is added to the final version of the National Defense Authorization Bill. Without it, widows of sponsors who died of service-connected causes have nearly $1,100 a month deducted from their SBP annuities.
Concurrent Receipt
Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) will offer an amendment to eliminate the VA disability offset to earned military retired pay. We need your help to ensure it is included in the Senate version of the Defense Authorization Bill.
Oppose TRICARE Increases
Senators Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Chuck Hagel (R-NE) will offer an amendment to bar the Pentagon from imposing unfair increases in TRICARE fees. Unless the Senate approves this amendment big fee hikes could happen later this year.
Guard/Reserve Retirement
Senator Saxby Chambliss's (R-GA) amendment would reduce the reserve retirement age by 90 days for every 90 days activated, retroactive to 9/11/01.
