In this week's NewsBytes:

Government Shutdown on the Horizon?
Salute During the Pledge of Allegiance
Independent Budget for FY 2012
Military Family Congressional Caucus Meeting
Homeowners Assistance Program Survey


Government Shutdown on the Horizon?
There is growing concern on Capitol Hill of a looming government shutdown when the current Continuing Resolution (CR) authorizing government spending at FY 2010 levels expires next Friday (March 4, 2011). The House passed legislation (H.R. 1) that includes a $14.7 billion reduction in FY 2011 defense spending and a CR that reduces overall federal spending by $100 billion for the remainder of the current fiscal year.  Because of the drastic spending cuts, it's unclear if the Senate will consider this bill when it reconvenes on Monday following the Presidents' Day recess.

Legislators and staff members are working behind the scenes to find an acceptable compromise and media reports indicate that House leadership may file an alternative two-week CR that would extend FY 2010 funding levels until late March, prevent a government shutdown and provide time to work out a bi-partisan compromise.  Speaker of the House Boehner has stated that he will not support an extension of the CR unless it contains "serious budget cuts."  


Salute During the Pledge of Allegiance
Rep. Lee Terry (Neb.) re-introduced legislation (H.R. 648) that would authorize service members not in uniform and veterans to render a military salute during the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. Previous legislation authorized veterans to salute during hoisting, lowering, or passing of the flag and during the National Anthem, but the laws did not reference saluting during the Pledge. Members can use the FRA Action Center at www.fra.org to urge their Representative to support this bill.


Independent Budget for FY 2012
The FY 2012 Independent Budget (IB) proposal was recently released by AMVETS, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). The IB provides detailed funding analysis of the Administration's proposed budget for the Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA) and is intended to be used as a guide for policymakers tasked with making necessary adjustments to serve the needs of America's veterans. FRA supports the annual IB, which has provided valuable analysis and recommendations on VA funding for the past 25 years.

The Administration proposes a three-percent increase over its proposed budget for FY 2011, but the IB recommends an eight-percent hike in VA funding for FY 2012. The IB also notes that the Administration's FY 2012 budget cuts various VA programs, including construction, information technology, and medical and prosthetic research. Both the Administration and the IB call for increased funding for medical services, programs for female veterans, mental health services, expanded caregiver assistance, and helping homeless veterans.  


Military Family Congressional Caucus Meeting
The new Military Family Congressional Caucus met last week to discuss challenges facing military families. The event brought together members of Congress, Hill staffers and Department of Defense (DoD) officials, as well as representatives from military and veterans' service organizations. The Caucus' goal is to educate lawmakers and staff about the unique challenges that service members and their families endure.

Hosted by Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (Wash.) and Sanford Bishop (Ga.), the event featured guest speakers Robert L. Gordon, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Military Community and Family Policy and Dr. Karen Guice, Executive Director of the Federal Recovery Coordination Program, representing the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Issues addressed included VA health care, disability benefits and Vet Counseling Centers, plus transition issues for the wounded, ill and injured as they move from active duty to veteran status. There was also discussion of leveraging partnerships with community leaders who wish to support service members and their families as addressed in the recently released report on the President's "Strengthening Our Military Families" initiative.

Rep. McMorris Rodgers announced the introduction of legislation (H.R 791) in the House and companion legislation in the Senate (S. 387) that would require DoD to establish flexible spending accounts to help service members pay healthcare and childcare costs with pre-tax dollars.  The bill also requires DoD to study the feasibility of setting up similar accounts for Reserve Component personnel. DoD has already been granted the authority to provide flexible spending accounts, but has elected not to implement the program. Members can use the FRA Action Center at www.fra.org to contact their elected officials on this issue.


Homeowners Assistance Program Survey
The Homeowners Assistance Program (HAP) sponsored by the Department of Defense helps eligible service members and federal civilians who face financial loss when selling their primary residence in areas where real estate values have declined because of a base closure or realignment announcement. Due to a cost-saving reduction in permanent change of station (PCS) moves, some service members are being extended and have lost eligibility for the program, even though they owe more on their homes than the resale value.

If you are an active duty homeowner, you're invited to participate in a survey on the HAP program sponsored by the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA). Visit http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22BVKW4E9WN to share your views.