Legislative Update



Congress and You

<http://capwiz.com/navalreserve/utr/1/BPVUQPFIOA/JTNAQPFKZU/7392199101>
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Your Opinion Counts; Does your opinion count? YES! Washington officials do
listen to your opinions. If they don't, you should vote them out of office.
Your opinion makes them pay attention. If we do nothing, policy makers
assume they have the green light to spend your money and make policy freely.
Thanks to the thousands of letters you have sent - we have to keep the
pressure on Washington. Join us at www.ausn.org
<http://capwiz.com/navalreserve/utr/1/BPVUQPFIOA/FEMBQPFKZV/7392199101>

Continuing Resolution: House and Senate Clear Short-Term Spending Bill
The House cleared a "clean" stopgap spending bill Thursday that would keep
the government operating through Oct. 4, giving the chamber time to vote
next week on a longer-term measure that would run through mid-November.
President Obama is expected to sign the measure (HR 2017) into law before
the new fiscal year begins Oct. 1.

The House is expected to take up a Senate-passed bill (HR 2608) that would
keep the government running through Nov. 18. The bill would provide $2.65
billion for the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other disaster aid
programs, instead of the $3.65 billion in a House-passed version. It is
unclear if the legislation will face stiff opposition; both the Senate and
House versions would provide roughly $24 billion more than the spending cap
set by the House-adopted budget resolution (H Con Res 34).

Presidential Plan for Deficit Reduction - includes: First, establishing a
$200-per-person annual enrollment fee for TRICARE for Life beginning FY2013.
The proposal would tie this to some unspecified health cost index so that it
would increase every year after that. Second, it proposes changing TRICARE
pharmacy co pays;
* Retail Generic, Mail-order Brand Name, Mail-order Non-formulary: Co pays
will be raised and be raised in out years. Retail Brand Name: Change co pay
from $12 to 15% of DoD Rx cost in FY13 and subsequently to 30% of Rx cost
* The Administration calls for a DoD BRAC-style commission to recommend
"modernizing" the military retirement system. The commission proposal would
have to get an up-or-down vote by Congress, without any amendment options.
AUSN will fight to stop these changes haphazardly, since they will greatly
affect retention and recruiting, and force structure. Please urge your
friends to join AUSN www.ausn.org
<http://capwiz.com/navalreserve/utr/1/BPVUQPFIOA/IWRKQPFKZW/7392199101> and
start actively working to protect their interests, the Navy's interest, and
those of the current and future force. Navy could loose two Carrier Groups
if we all don't act now. Please consider sending our letter to Washington
officials at:
http://www.ausn.org/Advocacy/LegislativeActionCenter/tabid/2187/Default.aspx
<http://capwiz.com/navalreserve/utr/1/BPVUQPFIOA/KXLZQPFKZX/7392199101>

Joint Committee on Deficit Reduction
It is imperative that the Committee succeed in reaching an agreement so that
we can give Americans, businesses, and the international community
confidence in our economy and our ability to come together and address the
challenges we face. Many agree, it should be balanced and ensure that, and
everyone pays their fair share. AUSN does not agree that Defense should
shoulder larger cuts - since over $400 Billion in cuts over the next ten
years are already mandated! If you would like, you may submit your own
comments directly to the Joint Select Committee at
http://deficitreduction.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contact
<http://capwiz.com/navalreserve/utr/1/BPVUQPFIOA/JJJRQPFKZY/7392199101> .
The effects on military and defense on retention and readiness will be
overwhelming.






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Reserved.
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Abel Quinones Sends





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