Lincoln Land Chapter
Military Officers Association of America

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In support of MOAA’s Summer Advocacy in Action effort, I was successful in meeting with staff members in Senator Duckworth’s and Representatives Budzinski’s and Miller’s offices.  The original topics were replaced by the focus on the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act,” (TCAVA) an omnibus bill covering some sixty languishing veteran related pieces of legislation. While most veteran organizations (including MOAA) support TCAVA, there remains some in opposition because of the proposed changes to the VA’s Schedule Ratings of Disabilities (SRD) and the “pay-for” provisions required by Congress. Recent discussions with congressional members indicate that the VA might delay the implementation of the SRD changes until after the vote on TCAVA.  If SRD changes happen before TCAVA passes, any fiscal savings from the SRD changes will revert to the treasury and will not be retained within the VA.  However, if TCAVA passes first, any savings from the SRD changes will be retained within the VA.  Thus, the encouragement from MOAA for us to access the Legislative Action Center and send our elected officials the prepared letters supporting timely passage of TCAVA.

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On a positive note, just before Congress recessed for seven weeks (it is election season!) they passed a discharge petition to move the Richard Star act out of the Rules Committee.  That doesn’t guarantee a floor vote on the bill, but it does indicate some positive movement on this important, bipartisan legislation. Separately, the VA recently announced the disbursement of $1.17 Billion to 680 organizations to address veteran homelessness.  $40 Million of that will go to 18 organizations in Illinois.

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Once Congress returns after the mid-term elections, they will have a very busy calendar in order to complete business on TCVA, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the Richard Star Act, and more – all containing issues of importance for veterans.  As our elected members circulate around the state asking for our vote, it would be fortuitous if we could remind them of the importance of these specific pieces of legislation in “protecting the earned benefits of all uniformed servicemembers and their families and survivors.” Sometimes it is necessary to remind them that: “People Outrank Everything” and that is why MOAA members “Never Stop Serving!”

 

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Semper Fi – Bob Tyler, Colonel, USMC (Ret)

Legislative Liaison, MOAA Lincoln Land Chapter​​​​