Breaking News

Veterans Advocates Push For Another Big Boost In VA Funding Next Year 

Veterans advocates are pushing for another hefty increase in the Veterans Affairs budget next fiscal year, saying the funding is needed to keep pace with increased medical care demands and complete long-overdue upgrades to department facilities.

To read more, please click here.

'Millions' Of Veterans Exposed To Environmental Hazards Will Be Eligible For VA Health Care On March 5

Millions of U.S. veterans will be eligible beginning March 5 for health care with the Department of Veterans Affairs under an accelerated effort to provide benefits and services to those exposed to toxic substances while serving.

To read more, please click here.

Space Force May Soon Offer 8-Year Active-Duty Enlistment Options For New Guardians 

The Space Force hopes to offer new Guardians the option of serving the regular eight-year enlistment -- with four years typically spent on active duty and four in the Individual Ready Reserve component -- entirely on active duty, in an effort to retain highly skilled new recruits.

To read more, please click here.

AFSA On The Hill

Rep. Porter Bill Makes It Easier For Military Families To Afford Housing

By: Press Release | Porter.house.gov

Reps. Katie Porter (D-CA), Julia Brownley (D-CA), Trent Kelly (R-MS), and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) today introduced legislation to make it easier for veterans and servicemembers to get guaranteed home loans. The VA Home Loan Guaranty Resiliency and Concurrency Enhancement (GRACE) Act would help families buy a home at a new duty station, easing the transition when relocating to another base. 

“Our veterans and servicemembers put their lives on the line to keep us safe, but too many are repaid with a lifetime of financial hardship that puts their housing at risk,” said Congresswoman Porter. “My bill would help military families get affordable mortgages and make it easier for them to relocate on short notice. I’m proud to work across the aisle to increase housing affordability for these brave Americans.” 

“It is estimated that about thirteen percent of the homeless adult population in the U.S. are veterans,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick. “We must do all we can to provide those who have served our country, and their families, with safe and secure housing. That is why I am proud to support this bipartisan legislation that would expand affordable home loan coverage for military families and avoid saddling them with an additional home loan or mortgage.”

“Rep. Trent Kelly proudly endorses the introduction of the ‘Veteran Affairs Home Loan Guaranty Resiliency And Concurrency Enhancement Act of 2024.’ This pivotal legislation seeks to fortify the support offered to service members and veterans by aligning the VA loan guaranty with contemporary needs. By placing a paramount focus on the financial well-being of our service members and veterans, this bill underscores our steadfast dedication to those who have devotedly served our nation,” said the Office of Congressman Kelly.

The VA Home Loan Guaranty Program helps many veterans and current servicemembers get affordable home loans without a down payment or traditional annual mortgage insurance premiums. However, limited coverage makes it difficult for military families to afford another loan when they are transferred or need to take out another mortgage for a new primary residence. Rep. Porter’s VA Home Loan GRACE Act would expand the loan guaranty to fix this problem and make it easier for veterans and servicemembers to afford a home.

A longtime consumer protection expert, Congresswoman Porter is passionate about protecting military families from financial scams and mistreatment. An investigation by her office spotlighted abuse by unscrupulous lenders and scammers in the VA Home Loan program and outlined ways to protect veterans. She also secured an amendment to the annual NDAA to study predatory marketing that targets veterans. Additionally, Rep. Porter is leading efforts to get answers for sick veterans who were exposed to toxic substances during their service at Fort Ord. 

LEGISLATIVE NEWS | Our Radar this week.

Congress is looking to pass spending bills before the two separate deadlines in early March.

Of the 12 appropriations bills, funding for these four are set to expire March 2nd:

Transportation, Housing and Urban Development

Energy and Water Development

Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration

Military Construction and Veterans Affairs

And then on March 9th, funding for the rest of the federal government is set to expire. This includes the following:

Defense

Commerce, Justice and Science

Financial Services and General Government

Homeland Security

Interior and Environment

Labor, Health and Human Services and Education

Legislative Branch

State and Foreign Operations

We urge congress to work on passing the appropriation bills before their respective deadlines and to avoid further continuing resolutions.

IMPORTANT: AFSA Total Force Survey Is LIVE!

The AFSA Total Force Survey is now LIVE! Please support our Military and Government Relations Team by taking the time to complete the survey. It will just take 30 minutes of your time. This poll is thorough and includes various essential themes for our members, such as an Active Component, Reserve Component, and more! Please take the time to share with others as well.

Once you've finished the survey, just input your name and email address at the top of the survey page to the right to submit and complete it.

Have any questions? Please reach out to our M&G Team at milgov3@hqafsa.org.

To complete the survey, please click here.

Legislative Action Center

Support the Sergeant First Class Michael Clark TRICARE Reserve Parity Act!

Link to Advocacy Campaign: https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/Campaigns/107490/Respond

Legislation Summary

• Amend existing law to ensure three years of benefits for Guard and Reserve families, as is standard for active duty military.
• Bringing parity for guard and reserve survivor benefits to that of active-duty personnel.

Support the Health Care Fairness for Military Families Act of 2023!

Link to Advocacy Campaign: https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/Campaigns/107499/Respond

Legislation Summary

• Modifies the extension of dependent coverage under TRICARE by allowing a dependent at the age of 26 to be covered without an additional premium.  
• Authorizes such coverage of dependents without a premium regardless of whether they are eligible to enroll in an employer-sponsored plan.

Support the Mental Health For Military Children Act!

Link to Advocacy Campaign: https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/Campaigns/107509/Respond

Legislation Summary

• Would direct the DoD to establish a pilot program to provide routine mental health screenings or check-ups for common disorders for children ages 3-17, including questions about patients' mood, emotional state, habits, and behaviors.
• To ensure that children of military families who are at a greater risk for mental and behavioral health problems than the general population, have access to mental health screenings and check-ups at Department of Defense Education Activity schools (DoDEA). 

Support the Revisit Pay Equity Act!

Link to Advocacy Campaign: https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/Campaigns/107467/Respond

Legislation Summary

• Increases the rate of the differential wage payment tax credit from 20% to 50% and requires that the maximum dollar amount of such credit be adjusted for inflation after 2023. 
• The credit is allowed to employers for their employees who are active duty members of the uniformed services. 

Support the Military Spouse Hiring Act!

Link to Advocacy Campaign: https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/Campaigns/103707/Respond

Legislation Summary

• The Military Spouse Hiring Act would encourage companies to employ military spouses, who frequently face disproportionate impediments in the job market, by extending the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) to include them. 
• Intends to help military spouses find better work opportunities. 

Support the Disabled Veterans Tax Termination Act!

Link to Advocacy Campaign: https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/Campaigns/93860/Respond

Legislation Summary

• Authorizes veterans with a service-connected disability of less than 50% to concurrently receive both retired pay and disability compensation. 
• Makes qualified disability retirees with less than 20 years of retirement-creditable service eligible for concurrent receipt, subject to specified reductions in retired pay.

Support the Major Richard Star Act!

Link to Advocacy Campaign: https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/Campaigns/93862/Respond

Legislation Summary

• Qualify approximately 42,000 military retirees with combat-related injuries to concurrently receive both military retired pay and Veterans Affairs (VA) compensation. 
• Provide total offset relief to veterans who suffered combat injuries or illnesses who were medically retired with less than twenty years of service.

Support the Retired Pay Restoration Act!

Link to Advocacy Campaign: https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/Campaigns/92798/Respond

Legislation Summary

• Allows the receipt of both military retired pay and veterans' disability compensation with respect to any service-connected disability.
• Extends full concurrent receipt eligibility to individuals who were retired or separated after at least 20 years of military service due to a service-connected disability.

Support the Military Family Nutrition Access Act of 2023!

Link to Advocacy Campaign: https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/Campaigns/103672/Respond

Legislation Summary

• The Military Family Nutrition Access Act was created to aid military families with active duty members who are facing food insecurity. 
• By eliminating Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) from the income calculations used to establish eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the bipartisan bill will combat food insecurity. 
• Military personnel risk their life to protect our nation; they shouldn't have to worry about providing for their families. 

Support the Not Just a Number Act!

Link to Advocacy Campaign: https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/Campaigns/103681/Respond

Legislation Summary

• The Not Just a Number Act would oblige the VA to look into how veterans use their benefits in their yearly report on suicide prevention in order to assess the connection between VA benefits and suicide outcomes. 
• In its fight against veteran suicides, the VA evaluates which VA benefits have the best impact on preventing suicide and requires the Department to submit recommendations for an increase in such benefits.

If you have any questions, please reach out to AFSA's Military and Government Relations team at milgov3@hqafsa.org.

AFSA Membership Information

Have You Read The Latest AFSA Magazine?

Read the latest AFSA Magazine here now! Download, print, share... WINTER Magazine 2024 - AFSA (hqafsa.org)

Have you called to verify, update, and correct your membership contact information? If you received a postcard asking you to call in, please take a few moments to call to update your info, and learn about the AFSA Oral Historical Project 2023. Learn more here now... 

Please click here to view

Greetings AFSA Division and Chapter Leadership,

We are pleased to share the AFSA Set-It-Forever/Auto Pay procedures and marketing materials to help share the process with our members, your membership and potential new recruits.

The Set-It-Forever/Auto Pay program creates an opportunity to JOIN AFSA or RENEW a membership by making a $36 once-a-year/every-year auto payment, or a $4-each-month/every- month auto payment. The $36 once-a-year option is set at $36, and the $4-a-month option includes a bank processing fee of $1 each month.

Review the two ways to enroll, the benefits to using the auto-pay option, and the marketing materials to help share the details of this program and ensure its success.

For more information, please click here.

For questions, please contact AFSAHQ Member & Field team at 800-638-0594 x 288.

Please Update Your Contact Information Today!

Dear Air Force Sergeants Association Member,

In order for the AFSA to effectively communicate with our members, it is essential to ensure we have your current and / or valid e-mail address. 
 
We are in the process of updating our records and need your help! Please take a moment to ensure that we have your most current mail and email address (no .mil's); and accurate membership listing information.

We've made it easy, as you can update your information in either one of three ways: 

1. Call Member & Field Relations team directly at 800-638-0594 x 288 (Mon. - Fri. 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (EST)
2. Email to: msvcs@hqafsa.org
3. Visit www.hqafsa.org and select the UPDATE button on the right

We thank you in advance for your support and prompt updates.

And That's The Way It Is...

In sum, The annual Independent Budget report for Disabled American Veterans, Paralyzed Veterans of America, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States was released on Thursday. In it, the organizations made the case for sustained funding of VA goals and programs in the years to come.

The action is taken at a time when Congress is still working to approve the VA's fiscal 2024 budget, despite the fact that the new fiscal year began over five months ago. Through a combination of advanced funding granted in late 2022 and short-term budget extensions approved by Congress, VA authorities have been able to continue providing services.

In addition, All veterans who have served in a combat zone since the Vietnam War, as well as those who took part in operations or training and encountered hazardous materials, will be eligible to sign up for VA health care, the VA announced on Monday.

The PACT Act, which President Joe Biden signed into law in August 2022, requires the expansion of health care benefits to take place by 2032. Officials from the VA stated last month that the acceleration is the consequence of a hiring frenzy enabled by legislative measures.

And lastly, according to Maj. Tanya Downsworth, an Air Force spokesperson, "the Space Force is carefully considering the impact of voluntary extended enlistment contracts and has proposed a third-party study on the impact of this concept," in an email to Military.com. "Extended enlistment contracts are pre-decisional, and would not be mandatory for new enlistees."

Six- and eight-year options, if given, would be entirely voluntary and signed in exchange for an incentive payment, according to Downsworth. There were no other specifics provided regarding the potential value of such an incentive.

And that's the way it is for Tuesday, February 27, 2024. 

Stay tuned for our next M&G-B, where we will continue to keep you in the loop on all things pertinent to the coronavirus, veterans, active-duty members, guards and reservists, and military family members. Stay happy, and stay healthy!