Legislative Awareness Week October 5-9, 2015

With reverence for God and Country and being ever mindful of the glorious traditions of the United States Air Force, our duty to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America, our responsibility to aid in maintaining adequate aerospace defense for our beloved country, our desire to assist in obtaining the highest caliber of men and women for our Air Force, our interest in the welfare of persons who served and are serving in the Air Force, our devotion to our fellow airmen in fortune or distress, and our reverence for the memory of our departed airmen, we unite to further the aims and objectives of this association. AFSA Preamble

NUMBERED CONGRESSES LAST TWO YEARS. ALL PUBLIC LAWS SIGNED DURING THAT CONGRESS BEGIN WITH THAT NUMBER. FOR EXAMPLE: PUBLIC LAW 114-1, PUBLIC LAW 114-2, ETC. WHILE THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS SOUNDS SIMPLE, IT IS ALWAYS POLITI- CALLY INFLUENCED, AND 535 ELECTED OFFICIALS ARE DRIVEN BY PERSONAL OPINIONS, DIFFERENT LEVELS OF EXPERIENCE, AND OUTSIDE FORCES 18 PERCENT OF THE MEMBERS OF THE 114 TH CONGRESS ARE MILITARY VETERANS. THEREFORE, A MAJOR AFSA MISSION IS TO EDUCATE THE OTHER 82 PERCENT!

PUBLIC LAW Assuming it passes Conference, the Bill is then sent to the President for consideration. Conference Members report back to each chamber with agreed changes. A select number of Members from both chambers meet and resolve differences Language refined and amendments proposed. Must pass Full Senate before starting a Conference. Hearings held, language refined, amendments proposed. Must pass vote before reported to Full Senate Hearings held, language refined, amendments proposed. Must pass vote before reported to Full Committee Bill is read to the Committee and referred to the appropriate Subcommittee Bill is read to the Full Senate and referred to the appropriate Committee Language refined and amendments proposed. Must pass Full House before reported to Senate. Hearings held, language refined and amendments proposed. Must pass vote before reported to the Full House Hearings held, language refined and amendments proposed. Must pass vote before reported up to the Full Committee Bill is read to the Full Committee and referred to the appropriate Subcommittee Bill is read to the Full House of Representatives and referred to the appropriate Committee An idea becomes formalized into a Bill

Legislative Accomplishments in 2014 Blocked a proposed $1B reduction in federal appropriations for the Commissary Blunted a proposed reduction of Basic Allowance for Housing for service members Extended COLAs protection to service members entering service through January 1, 201 Eliminated the Guard and Reserve retirement credit “fiscal year glitch” Blocked a proposed consolidation of TRICARE health programs into a single plan Blocked the adoption of means testing for TRICARE Prime and TRICARE for Life fees Obtained a permanent solution to the annual “Doc Fix” Blunted disproportionate pharmacy copay increases Acquired all 50 states’ ratification of the Interstate Compact on Education for Military Children easing the burden of school-age children moving from state to state Secured in-state tuition rates (effective July 1, 2015) for vets and authorized Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to surviving spouses.

PENDING ISSUES FY16 Defense Appropriations not passed Continuing Resolution (CR) expires Dec 11 th FY16 NDAA and possible veto Debt Ceiling limit reached again Veterans Legislation all but absent General Election politics just warming up

VOTE = Voice Of The Enlisted?

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