1. Reserve Officers Association Legislative Briefing
20 March 2018

2. ROA PRIORITIES

3. Veteran Status: Extend Federal Hiring Preference for Reserve Component Members
Confer veteran status for purposes of federal hiring veterans’ preference on Reserve Component members after 180 “cumulative” days on active duty versus “consecutive” days on active duty.
H.R. 1367, Untitled. Sponsored by Chairman Wenstrup (HVAC). It was passed in the House and sent to the Senate on March 21, 2017.
S. 1325, “Better Workforce for Veterans Act”. Sponsored by Ranking Member Tester (SVAC) on June 8, A hearing was held on July 11, 2017.

4. Veteran Status: DD Form 214 Type of Statement
Last year ROA passed Resolution asking for a “DD Form 214” type of document for the Reserve Component.
The document would provide all of the same type of information but it would be issued at the end of a servicemembers affiliation with the RC (separation or retirement).
Would solve problems RC members encounter when applying for veteran benefits at the federal and state level.

5. ROA Legislation for 115th - Appropriations
Biennial Military Personnel Account
Change the Military Personnel appropriation to a 2-year (biennial) account to eliminate the personnel and funding problems encountered under a continuing resolution or during a government shutdown.
Does not set a precedent as other the Department of Veterans Affairs has several 2-year accounts.
This would eliminate the need to cancel training when there is a government shutdown or expiring Continuing Resolution.

6. 115th Congress 2nd sESSION

7. FY 2018 Budget Still waiting for a budget.
Current Continuing Resolution expires 23 Mar 2018.
If a budget passes next Friday the services only have the 3rd and 4th quarter left to spend the funds.
Typically the services cannot spend the funds in two quarters which results in their budget being reduced.

8. FY 2019 Budget The President has submitted a 2019 budget.
The FY 2019 budget increases end strength by 25,900 (24,100 in the active components and 1,800 in the reserve components) over the FY 2018 budget.
Provides a 2.6% military pay raise – the largest increase in 9 years
Reflects continued savings from defense travel modernization and the 25% management headquarters reduction.

9. The Year Ahead
Expect the budget to be delayed until the FY2018 Budget passes.
Typically in an election year Congress is in their district or state more often which delays the passage of legislation.
More legislation should be held-up because the Senate majority could change.