Last week, Congress passed the finalized version of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (NDAA). The Conference Report includes a 3.1 percent pay raise for troops and improving occupational license portability for relocated military spouses. Other important VFW-supported provisions include: expanding Arlington National Cemetery; granting full military honors for Medal of Honor and Prisoner-of-War Medal recipients; directing DOD to conduct post-deployment medical assessments for burn pits; toxic airborne chemicals; and other airborne contaminants; and incorporating blast exposure history into service members’ medical records. The bill now goes to the president’s desk, who has indicated he will sign it.
Congress Axed the Widows Tax
Last week, the Senate joined the House in voting to pass the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020, which included the elimination of the Survivor Benefit Plan-Dependency and Indemnity Compensation offset. The VFW would like to thank Congress and all the individual advocates who joined the Axe the Widow’s Tax movement and worked vigorously to terminate the unjust Survivors Benefits Plan-Dependency and Indemnity Compensation offset.
Congress Strikes Budget Deal, Avoids Shutdown
Last week, Congress reached an agreement to fund the federal government for Fiscal Year 2020. H.R. 1865, which passed the House on Dec. 17 and the Senate on Dec. 19, is a bipartisan agreement that provides $91.9 billion in discretionary funding for VA. It would provide $153.6 million for VA for implementation of the VFW-championed Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019; increase VA medical care funding to implement the VFW-supported VA MISSION Act of 2018; fund additional oversight and management of privatized housing contractors; and support disaster relief efforts in response to recent natural disasters. H.R. 1865 would also eliminate the Kiddie Tax, which would reduce the tax burden on surviving children of service members, first responders, and Native Americans. H.R. 1158, which also passed the House and Senate last week, appropriates funds for a 3.1 percent pay increase for service members. If signed by the president, the two bills would avoid a government shutdown that was set to begin on Nov. 20, 2019.
Potential Tobacco Sales Ban for People Under 21 Will Affect Military
A bipartisan congressional plan to raise the federal minimum age to purchase tobacco from 18 to 21 was included in a sweeping budget bill, which passed last week. Contrary to previous comments from lawmakers, there is no exception in the law for members of the military.
POW/MIA Update
Army Air Forces 2nd Lt. George M. Johnson, 23, was a member of the 38th Bombardment Squadron, 30th Bombardment Group, stationed at Hawkins Field, Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll, Gilbert Islands. Interment services are pending.
Army Air Forces 2nd Lt. Lowell S. Twedt, 27, Twedt was a pilot assigned to the 71st Fighter Squadron, 1st Fighter Group. On Oct. 20, 1944, he piloted a P-38J “Lightning” aircraft as part of an escort for a B-17 “Flying Fortress” bombing mission targeting oil storage tanks in Regensburg, Germany. Interment services are pending.
Army Sgt. John V. Phillips, 25, was a member of Headquarters Company, 31st Infantry Regiment, when Japanese forces invaded the Philippine Islands. Intense fighting continued until the surrender of the Bataan peninsula on April 9, 1942, and of Corregidor Island on May 6, 1942. Interment services are pending.
Army Cpl. Jackey D. Blosser, 21, of Randolph County, West Virginia, was a member of Dog Company, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He was reported missing in action Dec. 2, 1950, in the vicinity of the Chosin Reservoir, North Korea. Blosser will be buried April 24, 2020, in Grafton, West Virginia.
Army Sgt. Maximiano T. Lacsamana, 37, of Macabebe, Pampanga, Philippines, a veteran of the Philippine Scouts during World War II, was a member of Company I, 3rd Battalion, 31st Regimental Combat Team, 7th Infantry Division. Lacsamana will be buried in the spring of 2020 in the Philippines. The exact date and location have yet to be determined.
Army Cpl. Jerome V. Hummel, 23, of St. Louis, Missouri, was a member of Heavy Mortar Company, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He was reported missing in action Nov. 30, 1950, in the vicinity of the Chosin Reservoir, North Korea. Hummel will be buried May 7, 2020, in his hometown.
Till next week, praying for all service members.
– Charles Castelluccio
