Letter Writing Campaigns
A large part of the AFSA mission is to ensure that the enlisted
voice is represented in Congress. While we have lobbists on Capitol
Hill to testify before Congress on issues that matter most to us,
the best way to have your voice heard is to write to your congressperson
AND senator regarding issues that are important to
you. As your duly elected representatives, your congresspersons
and senators will put the most weight behind the voice of their
constituents. The best way to do that is to write a personal letter
voicing your opinions and concerns. This section contains form letters
that you can download to your PC, fill in the blanks, and send to
your representatives. These letters are relavent to the issues that
matter most to you, the enlisted person. If you need the mailing
address for your representative or senator, click the link to the
left and you will have easy access to their names and addresses.
The names are ordered by state for your convenience!
This piece of legislation responds to the Administration's intent
to make extreme health care fee increases for military retirees
younger than the Medicare eligible age. Even if you are not a retiree
(or plan to be a retiree), this piece of legislation may lay the
groundwork for increasing the cost of medical benefits for active
duty personnel. If you are a retiree or plan to be
a retiree, please contact your representative immediately to support
this legislation.
How does a bill become law?
Much of what we do and what we are concerned with in AFSA are
the congressional bills that affect our pay, benefits, and retirement.
So, how do congressmen and senators affect our daily lives?
This guide gives a very concise synopsis on how a bill becomes
law, and how you - as a citizen - can affect the outome of legislation
through your vote and your voice to your representatives and senators.
If you would prefer a more interactive explanation, this "oldie
but goodie" will give a very informative lesson in civics.
H.R.303: The ‘Retired Pay Restoration Act of 2005’
To amend title 10, United States Code, to permit certain additional
retired members of the Armed Forces who have a service-connected
disability to receive both disability compensation from the Department
of Veterans Affairs for their disability and either retired pay
by reason of their years of military service or Combat-Related Special
Compensation and to eliminate the phase-in period under current
law with respect to such concurrent receipt. Rep Alcee Hastings
[FL-23] has signed on to support the bill giving it a total of 240
sponsors. There are no related bills. Last major action was a motion
to the Discharge Committee on 5/24/2005 to bring the bill to the
floor for a vote. A discharge petition requires 218 signatures for
further action. To support this bill and/or contact your Representative
refer to
http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/bills/?bill=7728776.
H.R.602: The ‘Keep Our Promise to America's Military Retirees
Act’
To restore health care coverage to retired members of the uniformed
services and their eligible dependents. House version of S.407!
H.R.602 responds to the Federal Court ruling that only Congress,
not military recruiters, can authorize what kind of care will be
provided to military retirees, and that only Congress can - and
should - make good on promised and earned health care. Referred
to the Subcommittee on Health 2/25/05, for a period to be subsequently
determined by the Chairman. No new representatives have signed on
to support the bill which presently has a total of 260 sponsors.
H.R.808: The ‘Military Surviving Spouses Equity Act’
To amend title 10, United States Code, to repeal the offset from
surviving spouse annuities under the military Survivor Benefit Plan
for amounts paid by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs as dependency
and indemnity compensation (DIC). A motion was filed to discharge
the Rules Committee from consideration of H.RES 271 on 16 NOV 05.
This resolution provides for the consideration of H.R.808 and requires
218 signatures for further action. No new representatives have signed
on to support the bill which presently has a total of 212 sponsors.
There are no related bills. To support this bill and/or contact
your Representative refer to
http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/bills/?bill=7683586 To support
the discharge petition and/or contact your Representative refer
to
http://capwiz.com/moaa/issues/alert/?alertid=8248891&type=CO
H.R.916: The ‘Medicare Access to Rehabilitation Services Act
of 2005’
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to repeal the
Medicare outpatient rehabilitation therapy caps. Last major action
was referral to the House Subcommittee on Health 14 MAR 05. House
version of S.438. No new representatives have signed on to support
the bill which presently has a total of sponsors. To support this
bill and/or contact your Representative refer to
http://capwiz.com/moaa/issues/bills/?bill=7103976 &
http://capwiz.com/moaa/issues/bills/?bill=7103896.
H.R.968:
To amend title 10, United States Code, to change the effective
date for paid-up coverage under the military Survivor Benefit Plan
from October 1, 2008, to October 1, 2005. Last major action was
referral to the House Subcommittee on Military Personnel 17 MAR
05. No new representatives have signed on to support the bill which
presently has a total of 146 sponsors. There are no related bills.
To support this bill and/or contact your Representative refer to
http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/bills/?bill=7683511
H.R.994:
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow Federal civilian
and military retirees to pay health insurance premiums on a pretax
basis and to allow a deduction for TRICARE supplemental premiums.
Last major action was it being ordered to be reported by Voice Vote
6 JUN 05. No new representatives have signed on to support the bill
which presently has a total of 340 sponsors. This is the House version
of S.484. To support this bill and/or send a message to your Representative
refer to
http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/bills/?bill=7761876
H.R.995: The ‘Combat Military Medically Retired Veteran's Fairness
Act of 2005’
to amend title 10, United States Code, to provide for the payment
of Combat-Related Special Compensation under that title to members
of the Armed Forces retired for disability with less than 20 years
of active military service who were awarded the Purple Heart. Last
major action was referral to the House Subcommittee on Military
Personnel 17 MAR 05. No new representatives have signed on to support
the bill which presently has a total of 31 sponsors. There are no
related bills. To support this bill and/or send a message to your
Representative refer to
http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/bills/?bill=7683281
H.R.1364: The ‘Equal Justice for Our Military Act’
to amend title 28, United States Code, to enable the Supreme
Court to review decisions in which the Court of Appeals for the
Armed Forces denied relief. Last major action was referral to the
House Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property
4 APR 05. No new representatives have signed on to support the bill
which presently has a total of 5 sponsors. There are no related
bills.
H.R.1366: The ‘Combat-Related Special Compensation Act of 2005’
to amend title 10, United States Code, to expand eligibility
for Combat-Related Special Compensation paid by the uniformed services
in order to permit certain additional retired members who have a
service-connected disability to receive both disability compensation
from the Department of Veterans Affairs for that disability and
Combat-Related Special Compensation by reason of that disability.
Last major action was Referral to the House Subcommittee on Military
Personnel 6 APR 05. No new representatives have signed on to support
the bill which presently has a total of of 52 sponsors. S.2385 is
a related bill. To support this bill send a message to your Representative
refer to
http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/bills/?bill=7718711 To support
Sen. Reid’s amendment to the 2007 NDAA bill S.2766 send a message
to your Representative refer to
http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=8371516&type=ML
H.R.2076: The ‘Retired Pay Restoration Act of 2005’
To amend title 10, United States Code, to permit certain retired
members of the uniformed services who have a service-connected disability
to receive both disability compensation from the Department of Veterans
Affairs for their disability and either retired pay by reason of
their years of military service or Combat-Related Special Compensation.
Last major action was referral to the House Subcommittee on Military
Personnel 6/21/2005. No new representatives have signed on to support
the bill which presently has a total of 29 sponsors. Related bills
are H.R.303, S.558, S.845. To support this bill and/or send a message
to your Representative refer to
http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/bills/?bill=7728776
H.R.2356: The ‘Preserving Patient Access to Physicians Act of
2005’
to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to reform the
Medicare physician payment update system through repeal of the sustainable
growth rate (SGR) payment update system. Last major action was referral
to the House Subcommittee on Health 23 MAY 05. No new representatives
have signed on to support the bill which presently has a total of
177 sponsors. S.1081is a related bill. To support this bill and/or
send a message to your Representative refer to
http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/bills/?bill=7742321.
H.R.2962: The ‘Atomic Veterans Relief Act’
to amend title 38, United States Code, to revise the eligibility
criteria for presumption of service-connection of certain diseases
and disabilities for veterans exposed to ionizing radiation during
military service, and for other purposes. Last major action was
referral to the House Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and
Memorial Affairs 28 JUN 05. No new representatives have signed on
to support the bill which presently has a total of 53 sponsors.
There are no other related bills. To support this bill and/or send
a message to your Representative refer to
http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/bills/?bill=7784066
H.R.4259: The ‘Veterans right to Know Act’
to establish a Commission to investigate chemical or biological
warfare tests or projects, especially such projects carried out
between 1954 and 1973, placing particular emphasis on actions or
conditions associated with such projects that could have contributed
to health risks or been harmful to any United States civilian personnel
or member of the United States Armed Forces who participated in
such a project or who was otherwise potentially exposed to any biological
or chemical agent, stimulant, tracer, decontaminant, or herbicide
as a result of such projects; and to submit a report to Congress
of its findings and recommendations. Last major action was referral
to the House Subcommittee on Military Personnel 30 NOV 05. No new
representatives have signed on to support the bill which presently
has a total of 43 sponsors. There are no other related bills.
H.R.4914: The ‘Veterans' Choice of Representation Act’
to amend title 38, United States Code, to remove certain limitations
on attorney representation of claimants for veterans benefits in
administrative proceedings before the Department of Veterans Affairs,
and for other purposes. Last major action was referral to the House
Committee on Veterans' Affairs 9 MAR 06. No new representatives
have signed on to support the bill which presently has a total of
8 sponsors. There are no other related bills. To support this bill
and/or send a message to your Representative refer to
http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/bills/?bill=8835676
H.R.4949: The ‘Military Retirees Health Care Protection Act’
to amend title 10, United States Code, to prohibit increases
in fees for military health care. Last major action was referral
to the House Committee on Armed Services 14 MAR 06. No new representatives
have signed on to support the bill which presently has a total of
163 sponsors. There are no other related bills. To support this
bill and/or send a message to your Representative refer to
http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/bills/?bill=8591231
H.R.4992: The ‘Veterans Medicare Assistance Act of 2006’
to provide for Medicare reimbursement for health care services
provided to Medicare-eligible veterans in facilities of the Department
of Veterans Affairs. Last major action was referral to the House
Subcommittee on Health 27 MAR 06. No new representatives have signed
on to support the bill which presently has a total of 24 sponsors.
There are no other related bills. To support this bill and/or send
a message to your Representative refer to
http://capwiz.com/usdr/index_frame.dbq?url=http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/bills/?bill=8670886
H.R.5881: The ‘Disabled Veterans Tax Termination Act’
to amend title 10, United States Code, to eliminate the offset
between military retired pay and veterans service-connected disability
compensation for certain retired members of the Armed Forces who
have a service-connected disability, and for other purposes. Introduced
26 JUL 06 by Rep Marshall, Jim (GA-03). There are no other related
bills. Last major action was referral to the House Subcommittee
on Military Personnel 25 JUL 06. Rep Jo Ann Davis [VA-1] , Rep Chet
Edwards [TX-17] & Rep Bob Filner [CA-51] have signed on to support
the bill which presently has a total of 3 sponsors To support this
bill and/or send a message to your Representative refer to
http://capwiz.com/usdr/index_frame.dbq? url=http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=8969606&queueid=[capwiz:queue_id]
H.R.6100: introduced the ‘Military Education Enhancement Opportunities
Act of 2006’
to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for certain
service members to become eligible for educational assistance under
the Montgomery GI Bill. Introduced by Rep. Mike Bilirakis [R-FL-09]
on 9/19/6. There are no other related bills. Last major action was
referral to the House Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity 9/26/2006.
No new representatives have signed on to support the bill which
presently has no sponsors.
S.185: The ‘Military Retiree Survivor Benefit Equity Act of
2005’
to amend title 10, United States Code, to repeal the requirement
for the reduction of certain Survivor Benefit Plan annuities by
the amount of dependency and indemnity compensation and to modify
the effective date for paid-up coverage under the Survivor Benefit
Plan. There are no other related bills. Last major action was referral
to the Senate Committee on Armed Services. No new senators have
signed on to support the bill which presently has a total of 35
sponsors. To support this bill and/or send a message to your Senator
refer to
http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/bills/?bill=7709421
S.407: The ‘Keep Our Promise to America's Military Retirees
Act’
to restore health care coverage to retired members of the uniformed
services and their eligible dependents. Last major action was referral
to the Senate Committee on Armed Services 16 FEB 05. A related bill
is H.R.602. No new senators have signed on to support the bill which
presently has a total of 15 sponsors. To support this bill and/or
send a message to your Senator refer to
http://mrgrg-ms.org/fax-it.html
S.484:
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow Federal civilian
and military retirees to pay health insurance premiums on a pretax
basis and to allow a deduction for Tricare supplemental premiums.
A related bill is H.R.994. Last major action was referral to the
Senate Committee on Finance 1 MAR 05. No new senators have signed
on to support the bill which presently has a total of 64 sponsors.
To support this bill and/or send a message to your Senator refer
to
http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/bills/?bill=7787396
S.2147: The ‘Multiple Sclerosis’ bill
to extend the 7 year time period during which a veteran's multiple
sclerosis is to be considered to have been incurred in, or aggravated
by, military service during a period of war. Last major action was
referral to the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs 20 DEC 05.
The bill has no cosponsors and there is no related legislation in
the House.
S.2617: The ‘Military Retirees Health Care Protection Act’
to amend title 10, United States Code, to limit increases in
the costs to retired members of the Armed Forces of health care
services under the TRICARE program, and for other purposes. There
are no other related bills. Last major action was referral to the
Senate Committee on Armed Services 6 APR 06. No new senators have
signed on to support the bill which presently has a total of 9.sponsors.
To support this bill and/or send a message to your Senator refer
to
http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=8675066&type=CO
S.2658: The ‘National Defense Enhancement and National Guard
Empowerment Act of 2006’
to amend title 10, United States Code, to enhance the national
defense through empowerment of the Chief of the National Guard Bureau
and the enhancement of the functions of the National Guard Bureau,
and for other purposes. A related bill is H.R.5200. Last major action
was referral to the Senate Committee on Armed Services 26 APR 06.
No new senators have signed on to support the bill which presently
has a total of 39 sponsors. To support this bill send a preformatted
or edited message to your Senator by using the “Write to Congress”
feature refer to www.ngaus.org.
S.2694: The ‘Veterans' Choice of Representation and Benefits
Enhancement Act of 2006’
to amend title 38, United States Code, to remove certain limitation
on attorney representation of claimants for veterans’ benefits in
administrative proceedings before the DVA, and for other purposes.
This bill was passed/agreed to in Senate 3 AUG 06 by unanimous consent
and referred to House Committee after being received from the Senate.
Last major action was unfavorable executive comment received from
Veterans' Affairs. To support this bill and/or send a message to
your Senator refer to
http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/bills/?bill=8835631
