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LEGISLATIVE UPDATES
Credit: Architect of the Capitol Legislative and Benefit Updates
Winter Mariner 2020
By Michael P. Hughes, OSC, USNR (ret.)
FY 2021 National Defense Authorization Act and Defense
Appropriations for FY 2021
At the time of writing this Congress still has to consider and pass an appropriation
in early November, one of act to fund whatever is authorized. Most of the federal
the most important legis- government is operating on a Continuing Resolution
lative issues is the FY 2021 (CR) until December 11, 2020 as of this writing. A CR
NDAA in Congress. The generally mandates that they operate at the previous fiscal
Senate and House Armed Services Committees have year funding with no new program starts or increases. It
reported out their versions of the bill. There are some is unclear if Congress will pass either the authorization
favorable and unfavorable proposals in the both versions. and/or appropriation, or if the president will sign it prior
Of note is that both have proposed a 3% active duty pay to the convening of the new Congress in January 2021
raise. There are differences between House and Senate and the inauguration of the new president. There is very
versions that will have to be worked out by a conference limited scheduled House and Senate session dates for the
committee then forwarded for the President's signature. remainder of 2020 with the breaks for the holidays.
Keep in mind that the NDAA is an authorization act and
HR 8237, Protecting the Employment Rights of Service Members Act
This act will clarify the scope of procedural rights of service Prohibits agreements and practices that interfere with the
members related to employment and reemployment rights: right of persons to participate in joint, class, or collective
actions.
Prohibits predispute arbitration agreements that force
arbitration of disputes arising from employment and NERA supports this legislation.
reemployment disputes.
HR566/S332, Agent Orange Exposure Fairness Act
This act expands eligibility for presumption of service con- neuropathy and porphyria cutanea tarda associated with
nection for veterans exposed to herbicide agents (e.g., Agent Agent Orange exposure. None of the other Agent Orange
Orange (AO) ) during service in Vietnam. The bill(s) remove conditions have such time limitations or rating requirements.
the manifestation period required for presumption of ser-
vice connection for chloracne, acute/subacute peripheral NERA supports this legislation.
TRICARE Select Increased Fees
TRICARE Select Group A retirees and their family of age and not qualified for Medicare Part B which is
members will begin paying monthly enrollment fees on required for TRICARE for Life. Active duty members are
January 1, 2021. Group A includes those retired mem- not affected by this and will not pay enrollment fees.
bers in TRICARE Select where the initial enlistment or
appointment or that of a spouse of the eligible member The enrollment fees starting Jan. 1, 2021 will be $12.50
began before January 1, 2018 and they are under 65 years per month for an individual and $25.00 per month for
10 The Mariner • 2020 WINTER Edition • Volume 63 • Issue 3