The first-ever proposed trillion-dollar defense budget offers “a lot of opportunity to do great things for quality of life for our military members,” MOAA President and CEO Lt. Gen. Brian T. Kelly, USAF (Ret), said in a recent radio interview with Federal News Network, a discussion which also touched on MOAA priorities regarding veterans and military spouses in the face of proposed federal spending cuts. 

Kelly told The Federal Drive host Terry Gerton that the budget plan “has some improvements to housing, to give full allowance for housing – we want to make sure that stays in there. That was something MOAA has been asking for and supporting for a number of years.” 

[RELATED: What the Proposed $1 Trillion Defense Budget Means for Servicemembers, Families, and Retirees] 

“It will all come down to what happens with reconciliation,” Kelly added in the interview, which aired May 15. “So we’ll be paying a lot of attention and giving our thoughts, and providing help and support when we can.” 

‘Efficiencies’ and Earned Benefits 

While DoD and VA budgets may not feel quite the impact of federal efficiency measures as other departments, Kelly stressed that service-earned benefits weren’t immune from collateral damage.

“We certainly don’t want to see those efficiencies, which we’re appreciative of, and those savings, which we’re supportive of, happen on the backs of those earned benefits for our military members, their families, our veterans,” Kelly said. 

The Federal News Network interview was recorded the day after Kelly and other MOAA leaders met with VA Secretary Doug Collins; Kelly praised Collins’ “focus on veterans” and noted the VA-benefit improvements MOAA and other veterans groups have championed in recent years, including generational toxic-exposure reform and better education benefits. 

“A lot of work was done [to make] great strides forward for the veteran community,” Kelly said, “and you certainly wouldn’t want to see any of those things reversed or impacted as the result of hasty cuts or reductions.”

Federal Hiring in Focus 

Asked about recent federal staffing cuts, Kelly stressed the need to continue programs “purposely put in place in the past by administrations, including the first Trump administration, that recognized that employment for our veterans is a key thing. It’s one of the things that they earned.” 

“The same thing for our spouses: Recognizing that military spouses have a very high unemployment rate – 21%, way higher than the national average – it’s tough for them. Giving military spouses an opportunity to be employed helps us retain, helps us attract and recruit, members to the military.” 

[TAKE ACTION: Ask Your Lawmakers to Add Military Spouses to the Work Opportunity Tax Credit]

While these programs may sometimes be “at odds” with staffing reductions, Kelly highlighted “an inherent strategic opportunity to keep [veterans and military spouses] at higher rates.” 

The full interview is available at The Federal Drive YouTube page and via its podcast feed.