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DEFENSE MEASURE PASSES HOUSE
Miller: Concurrent Pay Provision is ‘breakthrough for military retirees’ |
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Washington, D.C. (November 07, 2003) - Congressman Jeff Miller (R-Fl-01) voted today in support of the National Defense Authorization Act Conference Report for Fiscal Year 2004 (H.R. 1588). The bill sets policies, programs and funding levels for the nation’s military.
“This legislation is a huge victory for our military, both in the First District and across the country,” Miller said. “I commend President Bush and our military leaders for taking the fight to those who would do us harm. With this legislation, Congress is providing the resources to ensure our continued success.”
However, to many military retirees, the Concurrent Pay Receipt agreement included in this legislation was the most important part of the bill. Currently, disabled veterans’ retirement benefits are offset by the amount of disability coverage that they are eligible for. The Republican plan seeks to rectify that situation by phasing in disability qualifications that do not offset their retirement pay.
“Two years ago, I was elected to the House of Representatives. The first piece of legislation I cosponsored was H.R. 303, the Retired Pay Restoration Act of 2003,” Miller said. “I am very proud to be a part of this breakthrough for military retirees in Northwest Florida and throughout the nation.”
H.R. 1588 authorizes $400 billion for the Department of Defense and the national security programs of the Department of Energy. It is expected to also pass the Senate early next week and then be sent to President Bush for his signature and enactment into law.
Highlights of H.R. 1588 include:
· Personnel Benefits:
A 4.15 percent average increase in base pay for our men and women in uniform.
A reduction in the average amount of housing expenses paid by service members from the current 7.5 percent to 3.5 percent in fiscal year 2004 – with elimination of the out-of-pocket expense completely by fiscal year 2005.
An increase in the family separation allowance for service members with dependents from $100 per month to $250 per month, for the period beginning October 1, 2003 and ending on December 31, 2004.
-more-
An increase in the rate of special pay for those subject to hostile fire and imminent danger from $150 per month to $225 per month, for the period beginning October 1, 2003 to December 31, 2004.
Extensions on other special pay and bonuses for active duty personnel through December 31, 2004.
· Concurrent Receipt for Military Retirees: Currently, disabled veterans’ retirement benefits are offset by the amount of disability coverage that they are eligible for. H.R. 1588 provides full concurrent receipt of benefits for the most severely disabled veterans.
· Military Construction: The bill authorizes $9.7 billion for construction of family housing, childcare centers, medical centers and other facilities.
· New Weapons/Equipment: The bill authorizes $74 billion to purchase new weapons and equipment.
· “Freedom to Train”: H.R. 1588 contains focused, common-sense reforms of environmental laws that had begun to encroach on the ability of our soldiers to train for combat.
· Reform of the Pentagon Civilian Personnel System: The new National Security Personnel System established in this bill will provide the Secretary of Defense agility in hiring, firing, and promoting a more responsive workforce; authority to tie pay to performance (rather than only longevity); authority to establish a new system for appraising performance; flexibility in classifying positions, administering pay and allowances; flexibility in determining a dispute resolution process for negotiating with employee representatives; and a better employee grievance process.
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