Fwd: Resend: NGAUS Legislative Update - 13 February 2009

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From: NGAUS <ng...@ngaus.org>
To: Murry Bowman <jud...@aol.com>
Sent: Tue, 17 Feb 2009 4:03 pm
Subject: Resend: NGAUS Legislative Update - 13 February 2009

LEGIT February 13, 2009   NOTICE: We received an input from one of our executive directors who experienced a problem opening this edition of LEGIT. As we coordinate with Capitol Advantage to determine the cause of this input we are resending this issue just in case: Economic Stimulus Bill Emerges from House/Senate Conference The President's economic stimulus, "American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009" emerged from the House and Senate "conference" process as details of the legislation were successfully negotiated. Upon passing in each of the two chambers, the bill will be forwarded to the President for his signature. The Senate conferees included: Daniel Inouye (D-HI), Max Baucus (D-MT), Harry Reid (D-NV), Thad Cochran (R-MS) and Charles Grassley (R-IA). The House conferees were: David Obey (D-WI), Charles Rangel (D-NY), Henry Waxman (D-CA), Jerry Lewis (R-CA) and Dave Camp (R-MI). Originally a vote on the $789 billion stimulus bill was expected on Thursday, but has been postponed until at least Friday. ---------- TRICARE Co-pays and Fees may be Frozen Texas Representative Chet Edwards (D-TX) has introduced "The Military Retirees' Healthcare Protection Act," to counteract a possible increase in TRICARE co-pays and fees that the Department of Defense (DOD) has requested for the past three years. Congress has rejected increases in TRICARE fees demonstrating continued strong support those in uniform. The timing of the bill itself is also important, because it comes before the new Administration reveals its position on military health care. This could change the minds of those who feel that a TRICARE fee increase could be used to cover costs in the 2010 budget. Representative Edwards made his intentions clear, stating "I believe that keeping our promise of quality, affordable health care for military retirees is the right thing to do and the smart thing to do. It is right because our nation has a moral obligation to keep our promises to those who have kept their promise to defend our nation. It is the smart thing to do because we cannot attract the best and brightest to fight our war on terrorism in the years ahead if they see us breaking faith with those who served in years past. To win the war on terrorism, we must keep faith with our warriors." ---------- President Obama to Address the Country on February 24 On Tuesday, Press Secretary Robert Gibbs confirmed that in lieu of a State of the Union address, President Obama will be addressing Congress on February 24th. The speech is expected to focus on the economy and the Administration's ongoing efforts to improve the country's financial situation. ---------- Retirement Update NGAUS continues to seek sponsorship of our 2 for 1 early retirement pay that would reduce the current 60 year eligibility age by one year for every two years served after twenty years of military service. We have also discussed a congressional amendment to the early retirement provision in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008, which reduced the 60 year eligibility age by three months for each aggregate of 90 days of deployed service after January 28, 2008, the date of passage of the 2008 NDAA. The amendment would recognize all qualifying deployed service after 9/11. NGAUS also met this week with the staff of Congressman Robert Andrews (D-NJ) and learned that Representative Andrews is earnestly seeking to reintroduce legislation that would authorize receipt of reserve retirement pay at age 55. As members may recall, former congressman Jim Saxton (R-NJ), a great friend of the National Guard, introduced "age 55 retirement" legislation with strong co-sponsorship for several sessions, only to have it strongly resisted by the previous administration and rejected by both parties in the House Armed Services Committee. Because of "pay go" rules, passage of any of the above retirement legislation will take strong leadership by the Administration and Congress as was demonstrated when "pay go" rules were ignored to pass the new G.I Bill -- that included new entitlement costs estimated to be in excess of  13 billion dollars. If this issue is important to you, visit our web site www.ngaus.org and act on Legislative Alert 09-03, posted on 12 Feb to let your congressional delegation know your position. ---------- F-15 Active Electronic Scanned Array (AESA) Radar Breakfast at NGAUS The F-15 Weapon Systems Council (WSC) held a breakfast for their congressional delegations on Tuesday morning at the NGAUS Memorial Building.  The issue highlighted and discussed was the procurement of AESA radars for the Air National Guard F-15s.  F-15 AESA radar procurement is a top air priority for NGAUS this year. Many staffers from states with the F-15 mission attended the breakfast along with staffers from the Senate National Guard Caucus. This event allowed these key individuals to come together with the field experts from the Air National Guard to form a coalition that can better identify and accomplish the unfunded needs and requirements of the ANG. ---------- What's Happening at NGAUS It's that time of year, when state delegations visit NGAUS and their elected officials on Capitol Hill. If your state would like to visit NGAUS, please contact us through our web site www.ngaus.org and send us a state visit request form. We are here to serve you, and look forward to facilitating your visit and help ensure that your legislative goals are achieved. ---------- This Weeks State Visits: Ohio The Ohio state delegation hosted a reception for their congressional delegation on Monday evening, February 9, in the NGAUS Hall of States. Texas Texas visited Washington DC this week, hosting a Congressional Appreciation Breakfast in the Rayburn House Office Building on Wednesday, February 11, followed by a Congressional Appreciation Reception that night at Bullfeathers in the evening. Connecticut Connecticut visited NGAUS and hosted a breakfast in the Hall of States on Wednesday, February 11. The legislative staff attended presentations by state ANG and ARNG representatives to discuss Military Construction (MILCON) and other state priorities. Massachusetts The Massachusetts delegation attended the AESA breakfast and conducted state briefings on Tuesday in the NGAUS Hall of States. Wisconsin Wisconsin's state delegation visited NGAUS on Wednesday and received a legislative briefing by NGAUS President Brig Gen (Ret.) Stephen Koper. ---------- "Write to Congress" Update Messages Sent in 2009 This week -- 1,176 This year -- 3,516 Top Five States 1. Georgia  -- 481 2. Tennessee -- 299 3. Massachusetts -- 288 4. Texas -- 230 5. Mississippi -- 188 Help put your state on this list by using our "Write to Congress" feature to voice your concerns and priorities. Our Goal for 2009: 54,000 Messages Only 50,484 Messages to go! ____________________ NGAUS Legislative Staff: Rich Green, Director Pete Duffy, Deputy Director Chris DeBatt, Army Programs Emily Breitbach, Air Programs Bernie Phelps, Sr. Legislative Analyst Dixie Ross, Legislative Analyst

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