Congressman Cole, Armed Services Committee Approve Defense Budget
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Cole played a major role in shaping our national defense budget when the House Armed Services Committee approved the FY2005 National Defense Authorization Act late last night. This legislation sets policies, programs and funding levels for the nations military. He offered an amendment to protect military depots like Tinker Air Force Base, voted to delay the upcoming base closure round for two years and co-sponsored an amendment to increase annuity payments to the survivors of military retirees.
The Defense bill passed by the Armed Services Committee includes more than $2 billion for various force protection measures, including Up-Armored Humvees, Predator Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Interceptor Body Armor. H.R. 4200 also includes numerous quality of life improvements for our troops. The bill includes a 3.5 percent across-the-board pay raise for members of the armed forces, an increase in the maximum amount of hardship duty pay from $300 to $750 per month, and the elimination of out-of-pocket housing expenses. It also makes the increased rates for imminent danger pay permanent.
"This bill takes a responsible approach to addressing the additional operational costs for the war on terror." Congressman Cole stated. "Instead of taking funding from other military accounts for the war, the bill contains an additional $25 billion to cover the war's operational costs, personnel expenses and the procurement of new equipment. This also includes the funds to begin increasing the size of military." The committee approved permanently increasing the active duty Army by 30,000 soldiers and the Marine Corps by 9,000 personnel over the next three years.
Survivor Benefit Plan
The Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) was enacted in 1972. Under the current plan, survivors of military retirees are faced with a 20% drop in their pension once they reach age 62. The typical recipient experiences a reduction in their annuity from 55% of the retiree's pay to 35%.
"This unexpected loss of income can be financially devastating to families who have been operating on tight budget. The survivors of members of the uniformed services do not receive the benefits promised to them. There is a discrepancy between the benefits given to them and the benefits given to survivors of other federal retirees," Congressman Cole said. "To ensure fairness, Congress must increase the SBP annuity."
The legislation would eliminate the Social Security offset under SBP and increase the annuities paid to survivors of military retirees who are 62 or older from 35 percent of retired pay to the percentages indicated for the following periods:
(1) For months after September 2005 and before
April 2006: 40 percent
(2) For months after March 2006 and before
April 2007: 45 percent
(3) For months after March 2007 and before
April 2008: 50 percent
(4) For months after March 2008: 55 percent
"Last year we reached a landmark decision on Concurrent Receipt; this year we are working to eliminate the inequities in the Survivor Benefit Plan," Congressman Tom Cole said. "Veterans and their families have made many sacrifices for their country, we must make sacrifices for them by giving them the benefits they are entitled."
50-50 Amendment
In the FY2005 Defense Authorization bill, the Committee voted to include a provision offered by Congressman Cole, Congressman Jones (NC-03) and Congressman Ortiz (TX-27). This provision will ensure the Department of Defense complies with the mandate that 50% of the maintenance be done in-house when implementing BRAC. Currently, DOD cannot contract out more than 50% of their workload, in order to retain an in-house maintenance capability.
Congressman Cole worked very close with Senator Inhofe on this amendment. "Senator Inhofe was a great help with this provision. With this language, DOD will not be able to close too many depots and indefinitely waive the 50-50 requirement during BRAC. Our military and civil service employees have proven over and over the value of their service to our military," Cole said. "This provision supports them in their efforts, while protecting depots like Tinker."
BRAC
The Committee endorsed language to delay the 2005 BRAC round until 2007 and require the Pentagon to submit reports by specified dates for BRAC to proceed.
"There are a couple of reasons why a delay is necessary-- the committee is authorizing more Army and Marine Corps personnel. Our military is already stretched with the continuous war on terrorism and the effort to rebuild Iraq. Also, the Department of Defense has ongoing plans for base closures in Europe and Asia," Congressman Cole said.
"BRAC is a major process and its decisions are all but irreversible. We must make careful decisions that will be best for our military as a whole. Delaying BRAC is a thoughtful approach, but I am not convinced we will have a lot of success prevailing with the Senate," Congressman Cole said.
The full House is expected to consider the Defense Authorization bill next week.
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