Posted on 05/25/2005 8:11:16 AM PDT by outfield
House Majority Whip Roy Blunt hopes to use his weight in Congress to help National Guard and Reserve members win more benefits and bolster job security.
Blunt, R-Mo., and other House members plan to include the protections in the Defense Authorization Bill the House is expected to approve on Wednesday.
With recent reports of a steep decline in military recruiting, Blunt said Tuesday it is crucial to show a greater commitment to volunteer forces.
"We're trying to look at things that ensure when people leave their civilian jobs to go into full-time reserve, full-time guard, when they're called up, those jobs are still there when they get back," Blunt said.
One of the measures offered by Blunt and Rep. Mark Kirk, R-Ill., would allow the Defense Department to consider as a factor in awarding government contracts how businesses treat employees who are called up for duty.
Kirk said the legislation would encourage employers to make sure jobs are still waiting for guard members and reservists when they return from active duty, and to keep their pay competitive with other employees.
An amendment offered by Rep. Dave Reichert, R-Wash., would require the investigative arm of Congress - the Government Accountability Office - to study and report on difficulties guard and reserve members face in gaining employment after active duty.
A third amendment sponsored by Rep. Rob Simmons, R-Conn., would improve retirement benefits by allowing military retirees under 60 some of the same travel benefits now limited to those 60 and over.
Under current law, reservists who must retire at age 55 cannot take advantage of "space available travel," which allows retirees to ride for free or a small fee on military aircraft that have open seats.
"Today, when the guard and reserve are filling the ranks in Afghanistan and Iraq, putting their lives on the line and being wounded and being killed for our freedom and our Democracy, why shouldn't a retired reservist ... be able to get an empty seat in an airplane?" Simmons asked.
This is SOOOO overdue. Our soldiers need our support in every way possible, and i'm glad someone is getting in motion with that.
Blunt not only sees that need but is actually working to do something about it.
Whats the status on this? Is it going thru? up for vote? I'm sure blunt and his crew can get the job done with it, just wondering on how far along it is.
Why isn't this receiving more media attention? This is great.
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