NGAUS Legislative Update: 3/23/2007
What’s Happening In Congress?
CSAF Suggests Changes that Would Potentially Weaken the Air Guard
In a letter addressed to Chairman Arnold Punaro, Commission of the National Guard and Reserves, General Michael Moseley proposed changes that would “more closely align the Air National Guard and Army National Guard with their respective Military Departments, parallel to the Reserves’ alignment but with a differing mission set.” Moseley also proposed that the “Commission investigate options to give our Governors both an Air and Army Adjutant General, who would partner to create a true joint headquarters for the Governors”.
Senator Patrick Leahy, Co-chair Senate National Guard Caucus, confronted Moseley on these suggestions at a Defense Appropriations hearing on Wednesday. Leahy told Moseley “none of these proposals will go anywhere up here”. He pointed out that Moseley’s suggestions seemed to direct the Air Guard down a path that would reshape them into a mirror of the Air Force Reserve.
Senator Leahy and his co-chair on the Senate National Guard Caucus, Senator Kit Bond, sent a letter in response to General Moseley and Secretary Michael Wynne calling for them to reexamine the suggestions made to the Commission on the National Guard and Reserves.
Co-Sponsors on National Guard Empowerment Increasing
The list of co-sponsors for both the House bill (HR 718) and the Senate bill (S 430) have been increasing in recent weeks. Below is an updated list as of March 14th. In the House of Representatives:
Sponsors: Rep Tom Davis [VA-11], Rep Alexander, Rodney [LA-5] - 3/6/2007, Rep Bishop, Rob [UT-1] - 2/15/2007, Rep Bishop, Timothy H. [NY-1] - 2/27/2007, Rep Bordallo, Madeleine Z. [GU] - 2/15/2007, Rep Burton, Dan [IN-5] - 2/13/2007, Rep Butterfield, G. K. [NC-1] - 1/30/2007, Rep Carson, Julia [IN-7] - 3/8/2007, Rep Conyers, John, Jr. [MI-14] - 2/27/2007, Rep Cubin, Barbara [WY] - 3/6/2007, Rep DeFazio, Peter A. [OR-4] - 2/5/2007, Rep Delahunt, William D. [MA-10] - 2/5/2007, Rep Dicks, Norman D. [WA-6] - 2/5/2007, Rep Etheridge, Bob [NC-2] - 2/5/2007, Rep Goode, Virgil H., Jr. [VA-5] - 2/5/2007, Rep Graves, Sam [MO-6] - 3/8/2007, Rep Hare, Phil [IL-17] - 3/8/2007, Rep Hayes, Robin [NC-8] - 1/30/2007, Rep Herseth, Stephanie [SD] - 2/13/2007, Rep Hill, Baron P. [IN-9] - 3/14/2007, Rep Holden, Tim [PA-17] - 2/5/2007, Rep Holt, Rush D. [NJ-12] - 2/13/2007, Rep Hooley, Darlene [OR-5] - 2/15/2007, Rep Kaptur, Marcy [OH-9] - 2/5/2007, Rep Kind, Ron [WI-3] - 3/8/2007, Rep LaHood, Ray [IL-18] - 2/5/2007, Rep Langevin, James R. [RI-2] - 3/8/2007, Rep Larson, John B. [CT-1] - 2/13/2007, Rep Latham, Tom [IA-4] - 2/13/2007, Rep LoBiondo, Frank A. [NJ-2] - 2/5/2007, Rep McDermott, Jim [WA-7] - 2/5/2007, Rep McGovern, James P. [MA-3] - 2/5/2007, Rep Meehan, Martin T. [MA-5] - 2/15/2007, Rep Moran, James P. [VA-8] - 2/5/2007, Rep Perlmutter, Ed [CO-7] - 3/8/2007, Rep Rehberg, Dennis R. [MT] - 2/13/2007, Rep Ross, Mike [AR-4] - 2/13/2007, Rep Schwartz, Allyson Y. [PA-13] - 2/13/2007, Rep Shays, Christopher [CT-4] - 2/13/2007, Rep Shea-Porter, Carol [NH-1] - 3/8/2007, Rep Souder, Mark E. [IN-3] - 3/14/2007, Rep Taylor, Gene [MS-4] - 1/30/2007, Rep Tiberi, Patrick J. [OH-12] - 2/27/2007, Rep Visclosky, Peter J. [IN-1] - 3/8/2007, Rep Walz, Timothy J. [MN-1] - 2/5/2007, Rep Welch, Peter [VT] - 2/5/2007, Rep Wilson, Joe [SC-2] - 3/6/2007
In the Senate:
Sponsors: Sen Christopher Bond [MO], Sen Baucus, Max [MT] - 1/31/2007, Sen Brown, Sherrod [OH] - 2/6/2007, Sen Byrd, Robert C. [WV] - 2/12/2007, Sen Cantwell, Maria [WA] - 2/1/2007, Sen Coburn, Tom [OK] - 3/5/2007, Sen Collins, Susan M. [ME] - 2/13/2007, Sen Dodd, Christopher J. [CT] - 3/5/2007, Sen Durbin, Richard [IL] - 2/6/2007, Sen Feinstein, Dianne [CA] - 3/8/2007, Sen Grassley, Chuck [IA] - 1/31/2007, Sen Gregg, Judd [NH] - 2/8/2007, Sen Hagel, Chuck [NE] - 2/8/2007, Sen Harkin, Tom [IA] - 2/6/2007, Sen Johnson, Tim [SD] - 3/7/2007, Sen Kerry, John F. [MA] - 1/31/2007, Sen Klobuchar, Amy [MN] - 3/5/2007, Sen Landrieu, Mary L. [LA] - 2/6/2007, Sen Leahy, Patrick J. [VT] - 1/30/2007, Sen Lincoln, Blanche L. [AR] - 2/15/2007, Sen Lott, Trent [MS] - 3/8/2007, Sen Menendez, Robert [NJ] - 3/5/2007, Sen Mikulski, Barbara A. [MD] - 1/31/2007, Sen Murray, Patty [WA] - 2/12/2007, Sen Nelson, E. Benjamin [NE] - 1/30/2007, Sen Rockefeller, John D., IV [WV] - 1/31/2007, Sen Salazar, Ken [CO] - 2/1/2007, Sen Smith, Gordon H. [OR] - 2/6/2007, Sen Snowe, Olympia J. [ME] - 1/30/2007, Sen Stabenow, Debbie [MI] - 3/9/2007, Sen Sununu, John E. [NH] - 2/12/2007, Sen Tester, Jon [MT] - 3/5/2007, Sen Wyden, Ron [OR] - 1/31/2007.
What’s Happening At NGAUS?
State Association Events in D.C.
This week NGAUS hosted the Wisconsin National Guard Association and the North Dakota State Association at the Memorial Building in Washington, D.C. North Dakota’s evening reception was attended by CSAF General Moseley, Congressman Earl Pomeroy, and a number of other general officers.
NGAUS Air Task Forces Looking at Reorganizing in the Near Future
The NGAUS air task forces will be meeting in April to discuss possible reorganization of the current three task forces: Fighter Task Force, Airlift/Tanker/Rescue Task Force, and the C3I Task Force. The Task Forces serve as subject matter experts on their specific areas. All task force participation is by volunteer only and is highly encouraged and recommended to help push priorities into the spotlight.
NGAUS Submits 5 Areas for the TRICARE Standard 2008 Survey
Each year the Office of the Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs) along with the TRICARE Management Activity conduct a survey on the “Civilian Physician Acceptance of New Patients Under TRICARE Standard”. The TRICARE Survey Program was formally established in response to the National Defense Authorization Act Public Law. No. 102-484, (1992). With the new TRICARE benefits for the National Guard beginning in October, the availability to find a provider is an important issue in rural areas around the country. This year, NGAUS has requested that these following areas be included in the survey locations:
Fort Dodge (and surrounding area), Iowa Ainsworth (and surrounding area), Nebraska Buffalo and Thermopolis, Wyoming Mitchell and Madris, Oregon Park Rapids and Atkin, Minnesota
Published by the NGAUS Legislative Staff:
Rich Green, Director
Pete Duffy, Deputy Director
Chris DeBatt, Army Programs
Emily Breitbach, Air Programs
Bernie Phelps, Senior Legislative Analyst
CSAF Suggests Changes that Would Potentially Weaken the Air Guard
In a letter addressed to Chairman Arnold Punaro, Commission of the National Guard and Reserves, General Michael Moseley proposed changes that would “more closely align the Air National Guard and Army National Guard with their respective Military Departments, parallel to the Reserves’ alignment but with a differing mission set.” Moseley also proposed that the “Commission investigate options to give our Governors both an Air and Army Adjutant General, who would partner to create a true joint headquarters for the Governors”.
Senator Patrick Leahy, Co-chair Senate National Guard Caucus, confronted Moseley on these suggestions at a Defense Appropriations hearing on Wednesday. Leahy told Moseley “none of these proposals will go anywhere up here”. He pointed out that Moseley’s suggestions seemed to direct the Air Guard down a path that would reshape them into a mirror of the Air Force Reserve.
Senator Leahy and his co-chair on the Senate National Guard Caucus, Senator Kit Bond, sent a letter in response to General Moseley and Secretary Michael Wynne calling for them to reexamine the suggestions made to the Commission on the National Guard and Reserves.
Co-Sponsors on National Guard Empowerment Increasing
The list of co-sponsors for both the House bill (HR 718) and the Senate bill (S 430) have been increasing in recent weeks. Below is an updated list as of March 14th. In the House of Representatives:
Sponsors: Rep Tom Davis [VA-11], Rep Alexander, Rodney [LA-5] - 3/6/2007, Rep Bishop, Rob [UT-1] - 2/15/2007, Rep Bishop, Timothy H. [NY-1] - 2/27/2007, Rep Bordallo, Madeleine Z. [GU] - 2/15/2007, Rep Burton, Dan [IN-5] - 2/13/2007, Rep Butterfield, G. K. [NC-1] - 1/30/2007, Rep Carson, Julia [IN-7] - 3/8/2007, Rep Conyers, John, Jr. [MI-14] - 2/27/2007, Rep Cubin, Barbara [WY] - 3/6/2007, Rep DeFazio, Peter A. [OR-4] - 2/5/2007, Rep Delahunt, William D. [MA-10] - 2/5/2007, Rep Dicks, Norman D. [WA-6] - 2/5/2007, Rep Etheridge, Bob [NC-2] - 2/5/2007, Rep Goode, Virgil H., Jr. [VA-5] - 2/5/2007, Rep Graves, Sam [MO-6] - 3/8/2007, Rep Hare, Phil [IL-17] - 3/8/2007, Rep Hayes, Robin [NC-8] - 1/30/2007, Rep Herseth, Stephanie [SD] - 2/13/2007, Rep Hill, Baron P. [IN-9] - 3/14/2007, Rep Holden, Tim [PA-17] - 2/5/2007, Rep Holt, Rush D. [NJ-12] - 2/13/2007, Rep Hooley, Darlene [OR-5] - 2/15/2007, Rep Kaptur, Marcy [OH-9] - 2/5/2007, Rep Kind, Ron [WI-3] - 3/8/2007, Rep LaHood, Ray [IL-18] - 2/5/2007, Rep Langevin, James R. [RI-2] - 3/8/2007, Rep Larson, John B. [CT-1] - 2/13/2007, Rep Latham, Tom [IA-4] - 2/13/2007, Rep LoBiondo, Frank A. [NJ-2] - 2/5/2007, Rep McDermott, Jim [WA-7] - 2/5/2007, Rep McGovern, James P. [MA-3] - 2/5/2007, Rep Meehan, Martin T. [MA-5] - 2/15/2007, Rep Moran, James P. [VA-8] - 2/5/2007, Rep Perlmutter, Ed [CO-7] - 3/8/2007, Rep Rehberg, Dennis R. [MT] - 2/13/2007, Rep Ross, Mike [AR-4] - 2/13/2007, Rep Schwartz, Allyson Y. [PA-13] - 2/13/2007, Rep Shays, Christopher [CT-4] - 2/13/2007, Rep Shea-Porter, Carol [NH-1] - 3/8/2007, Rep Souder, Mark E. [IN-3] - 3/14/2007, Rep Taylor, Gene [MS-4] - 1/30/2007, Rep Tiberi, Patrick J. [OH-12] - 2/27/2007, Rep Visclosky, Peter J. [IN-1] - 3/8/2007, Rep Walz, Timothy J. [MN-1] - 2/5/2007, Rep Welch, Peter [VT] - 2/5/2007, Rep Wilson, Joe [SC-2] - 3/6/2007
In the Senate:
Sponsors: Sen Christopher Bond [MO], Sen Baucus, Max [MT] - 1/31/2007, Sen Brown, Sherrod [OH] - 2/6/2007, Sen Byrd, Robert C. [WV] - 2/12/2007, Sen Cantwell, Maria [WA] - 2/1/2007, Sen Coburn, Tom [OK] - 3/5/2007, Sen Collins, Susan M. [ME] - 2/13/2007, Sen Dodd, Christopher J. [CT] - 3/5/2007, Sen Durbin, Richard [IL] - 2/6/2007, Sen Feinstein, Dianne [CA] - 3/8/2007, Sen Grassley, Chuck [IA] - 1/31/2007, Sen Gregg, Judd [NH] - 2/8/2007, Sen Hagel, Chuck [NE] - 2/8/2007, Sen Harkin, Tom [IA] - 2/6/2007, Sen Johnson, Tim [SD] - 3/7/2007, Sen Kerry, John F. [MA] - 1/31/2007, Sen Klobuchar, Amy [MN] - 3/5/2007, Sen Landrieu, Mary L. [LA] - 2/6/2007, Sen Leahy, Patrick J. [VT] - 1/30/2007, Sen Lincoln, Blanche L. [AR] - 2/15/2007, Sen Lott, Trent [MS] - 3/8/2007, Sen Menendez, Robert [NJ] - 3/5/2007, Sen Mikulski, Barbara A. [MD] - 1/31/2007, Sen Murray, Patty [WA] - 2/12/2007, Sen Nelson, E. Benjamin [NE] - 1/30/2007, Sen Rockefeller, John D., IV [WV] - 1/31/2007, Sen Salazar, Ken [CO] - 2/1/2007, Sen Smith, Gordon H. [OR] - 2/6/2007, Sen Snowe, Olympia J. [ME] - 1/30/2007, Sen Stabenow, Debbie [MI] - 3/9/2007, Sen Sununu, John E. [NH] - 2/12/2007, Sen Tester, Jon [MT] - 3/5/2007, Sen Wyden, Ron [OR] - 1/31/2007.
What’s Happening At NGAUS?
State Association Events in D.C.
This week NGAUS hosted the Wisconsin National Guard Association and the North Dakota State Association at the Memorial Building in Washington, D.C. North Dakota’s evening reception was attended by CSAF General Moseley, Congressman Earl Pomeroy, and a number of other general officers.
NGAUS Air Task Forces Looking at Reorganizing in the Near Future
The NGAUS air task forces will be meeting in April to discuss possible reorganization of the current three task forces: Fighter Task Force, Airlift/Tanker/Rescue Task Force, and the C3I Task Force. The Task Forces serve as subject matter experts on their specific areas. All task force participation is by volunteer only and is highly encouraged and recommended to help push priorities into the spotlight.
NGAUS Submits 5 Areas for the TRICARE Standard 2008 Survey
Each year the Office of the Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs) along with the TRICARE Management Activity conduct a survey on the “Civilian Physician Acceptance of New Patients Under TRICARE Standard”. The TRICARE Survey Program was formally established in response to the National Defense Authorization Act Public Law. No. 102-484, (1992). With the new TRICARE benefits for the National Guard beginning in October, the availability to find a provider is an important issue in rural areas around the country. This year, NGAUS has requested that these following areas be included in the survey locations:
Fort Dodge (and surrounding area), Iowa Ainsworth (and surrounding area), Nebraska Buffalo and Thermopolis, Wyoming Mitchell and Madris, Oregon Park Rapids and Atkin, Minnesota
Published by the NGAUS Legislative Staff:
Rich Green, Director
Pete Duffy, Deputy Director
Chris DeBatt, Army Programs
Emily Breitbach, Air Programs
Bernie Phelps, Senior Legislative Analyst
Labels: NGAUS
posted by Rosemary Welch at 3/23/2007 12:46:00 AM
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