.

United States Army Warrant Officers Association

USAWOA ONLINE

Legislative News

 

Director of Legislative Affairs and Business Development CW5 Poyas Haynes  or

 

USAWOA legislative activities are conducted primarily through The Military Coalition (TMC), which USAWOA joined as a Founding Charter Member when it formed in 1985. TMC is comprised of 35 uniformed service and veteran's communities representing over 5.5 million members or former members of the active, guard, reserve, and retired members of the seven uniformed services plus their families and survivors. The Military Coalition currently has eight legislative standing committees which recommend issues, positions, and actions within their purview for the consideration of the TMC member organizations. Each TMC member organization has at least one representative assigned to at least one standing committee. USAWOA's current seat is on the Personnel and Compensation Committee. To view each Committee's Legislative Goals & Roster go to www.themilitarycoalition.org/Testimony/committeegoals.htm.  For TMC Letters of which USAWOA was a co-signer visit  www.themilitarycoalition.org/letters.htm

 

Legislative News

See also The Legislative Track - Pending Legislation as of September 2007

Commissioning of WO1s - The change to Title X of the U. S. Code (the law) to commission WO1s is in the Army's legislative submission for National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009.  The requested change is currently under review at the Office of the Secretary of Defense and if all is correct, should be in the submission to the White House and Congress for next year. 9/6/07

 

Senate, House Backs Military Pay Increase - The 2008 military pay plan taking shape in Congress would be the start of a five-year plan to be approved by lawmakers for pay raises through 2012. A 3.5 percent all-ranks pay raise Jan. 1 was strongly opposed by the White House, backs a 3 percent raise. Differences need to be ironed out prior to approval, but similarities between the House and Senate versions of the defense authorization bills, HR 1585, provide a basic outline of the pay and benefits upgrades in store for servicemembers and their families - see more. 9/6/07

 

National Defense Authorizations Act FY08 and Reserve Early Retirement - Final consideration of the National Defense Authorization Act has been delayed until after the August recess. Senator Saxby Chambliss has submitted an amendment to include service from Reserve Component members back to 9/11/2001 as eligibility for his earlier retirement provision. The legislative change reflects the intent of the original bill introduced by Sen. Chambliss. This amendment is one of 322 that have been filed for consideration. Many analysts expect the debate to start over where it left off in September. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid voted "no" to end debate, which procedurally allows him to reintroduce the last amendment from the floor which was on Iraqi withdrawal. Last year, 250 amendments were filed, but all were not considered. The chairman and ranking members of the Armed Services committee limited the number of amendments to a manager’s package plus 35 other amendments. The question is whether leadership from the two parties can still work together constructively to par down the number of amendments following such partisan debate. 8/7/07

 

Senate clarifies right to salute flag - The Senate has passed a bill clarifying the law to ensure that veterans and service members not in uniform may salute the flag. S-1877 addresses the ambiguity of current law, which states that veterans and service members not in uniform should place their hand over their hearts, without specifying whether they can or should salute the flag. Those currently serving or have served in the military have earned this right, their recognition will be an inspiration to others. The House would have to vote for the change for it to become law. 8/7/07

 

The Military Coalition (TMC) appeared before the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) - On Mar. 1, 2007 the TMC Co-Chairs and the Chief Operating Officer of the National Military Family Association testified before the HASC Subcommittee on Military Personnel on behalf of USAWOA and the other TMC member organizations. Testimony included, but was not limited to: Supported of Targeted Pay Raises for Warrant Officers (pg 2 & 10), lowering Reserve retirement (pg 4), Address Inequities of "1/30th" rule for special & incentive pays (pg 4), full Concurrent Receipt for retired pay & VA disability compensation (pg 4), TRICARE & MEDICARE/TRICARE issues (pg 6-7), and much more  - see the TMC Statement to the Subcommittee .

 

USAWOA & TMC push for 3.5% raise for 2008, also more targeted pay raises for WO - The Military Coalition proposed across the board increase would apply to both military and civilian personnel. They also support additional targeted pay raises for mid-career enlisted personnel, warrant officers, and some officers so that their pay equals at least 70% of private sector workers of the same age, education, and experience. Retention of skilled military personnel becomes difficult when the potential exists for them to receive higher compensation in the civilian sector. While some additional targeted pay raises and the new extended pay tables for senior service members take effective on 1 April 2007, additional targeted pay raises are necessary to relieve warrant officer pay compression, plus as an incentive to recruit warrant officers, and to compete with the civilian sector. USAWOA is a Charter Founding Member of , the Warrant Officer Subject Matter Expert, & actively participates in The Military Coalition. See also WO Pay Compression.

 

USAWOA’s Involvement in the Legislative Process - It is important that USAWOA be involved in the legislative process of this nation.  The U.S. Senate and House of Representatives make decisions with both immediate and long-term impact on the lives of Army warrant officers and their families.  Laws pertaining to such matters as pay and allowances or PCS rules, are examples of topics of immediate impact.  Examples of matters with long-term implications are laws dealing with retirement, health care, commissary access, and so forth. Equally, it is important that USAWOA make its positions known to governmental officials in the Executive Branch of the government.  Although congress passes laws, the Administration makes its wishes known in the form of budget proposals, national defense planning, and other means.  Likewise, the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Service Departments develop the procedures that implement polices established by congress and the administration.  Naturally, USAWOA is more focused on actions of the Department of the Army - see Reports 2005, 2006.

 

 

 

Other Resources

 

| Top | Home | Hot Topics | Site Map |

 

USAWOA Online 11/27/2007