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Articles Tagged military

  1. Issue Spotlight: Sexual Assault in the Military

    by rachna on May 24, 2013

    According to a Pentagon survey of active duty service members, there were an estimated 26,000 sexual assaults in the military last year. However, the number of actual reports of sexual assaults was far lower. There were 3,374 reports of sexual assault involving service members last year.

    In response to these reports, the Defense Department published a revised sexual assault prevention and response strategic plan. And this week, the House Armed Services Committee released legislative language as part of the FY2014 National Defense Authorization Act, which includes a number of bipartisan reforms to the way sexual assault cases are reported, investigated and punished in the military.

    Here's a look at the dozen bills (and a resolution) that Congress is considering related to sexual assault in the military.

    Proposals in Congress: Sexual Assault in the Military

    Weigh in and POPVOX will deliver your message to Congress.

    Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we're simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of an overwhelmingly complex legislative system.

  2. Issue Spotlight: North Korea

    by rachna on March 29, 2013

    Today, the North Korean state media said Kim Jong-un ordered his missile units to be ready to strike United States military bases and South Korea. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel said, earlier this week, “we have to take seriously every provocative, bellicose word and action that this new, young leader has taken so far since he's come to power.”

    We'd like to spotlight the bills that Congress is considering related to North Korea.

    Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we're simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of an overwhelmingly complex legislative system.

  3. Issue Spotlight: Military Pay During a Government Shutdown?

    by rachna on February 27, 2013

    When the federal government was on the verge of a budget-battle shutdown in April 2011, thousands of people -- mostly military families -- wrote personal, compelling messages to Congress in support of this bill. Their activity was so intense, it crashed POPVOX's servers for the first time. (See the Bill Report for the 112th Congress's Ensuring Pay for Our Military Act, S 724.)

    What Happens to Military Pay in the Event of a Government Shutdown or the Debt Ceiling is Reached?

    As the discussion in Congress turns to the debt ceiling, several bills have already been introduced about prioritizing military pay. Weigh in with POPVOX, and we will deliver your message to Congress -- guaranteed.

    • S 46 The Full Faith and Credit Act: A bill to protect Social Security benefits and military pay and require that the US Government prioritize all obligations on the debt held by the public in the event that the debt limit is reached. 
    • HR 247 The Ensuring the Full Faith and Credit of the United States and Protecting America's Soldiers and Seniors Act: To require that the US Government prioritize all obligations on the debt held by the public, Social Security benefits, and military pay in the event that the debt limit is reached. 
    • S 171 The Military Pay Continuation Act: A bill to appropriate such funds as may be necessary to ensure that members of the Armed Forces, including reserve components thereof, and supporting civilian and contractor personnel continue to receive pay and allowances for active service performed when a Governmentwide shutdown occurs. 
    • HR 342 The Guarantee Paychecks for America’s Military Families Act: To prioritize certain Government obligations for continued payment in the event that the statutory debt limit is reached, to appropriate funds for the pay and allowances of all members of the Armed Forces, and for those civilian employees of the Dept. of Defense and the Coast Guard serving in a combat zone.
    • HR 55 The SHEILD Act: Requires, in the event that the U.S. public debt limit is reached, priority payment of the pay and allowances of: (1) members of the Armed Forces, including reserves, who perform active service; and (2) critical law enforcement officers employed by federal agencies.
    • S 81 The Default Prevention Act: Requires the following to be granted priority over all other federally incurred obligations in the event that the public debt reaches the statutory limit: (1) the authority of the Department of the Treasury to pay with legal tender the principal and interest on debt held by the public; (2) the full payment of compensation, allowances, and benefits for members of the Armed Forces on active duty, (3) the authority of the Commissioner of Social Security to pay monthly Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance benefits under title II of the Social Security Act (SSA); and (4) the authority of the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to make payments for items and services furnished to beneficiaries under SSA title XVIII (Medicare) and related provisions.

    Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we're simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of an overwhelmingly complex legislative system.

  4. Issue Spotlight: The National Guard

    by rachna on December 18, 2011

    We pulled together a list of bills related to the National Guard to mark the Guard's 375th birthday, which was celebrated this week. (The origin of the nation's state National Guard organizations sprang from the forming of militia in the Massachusetts Bay Colony in the early 17th century, according to the DOD.) On behalf of the POPVOX team, I'd like to extend a special thank you to those serving in the National Guard.

    On the 375th Birthday of the National Guard

    • S 1839 National Guard & Reserve Soft Landing Reintegration Act provides for the retention of members of the reserve components on active duty for a period of 45 days following an extended deployment in contingency operations or homeland defense missions to support their reintegration into civilian life.
    • S 1579 National Guard Basic Allowance for Housing Equity Act provides that the basic allowance for housing in effect for a member of the National Guard is not reduced when the member transitions between active duty and full-time National Guard duty without a break in active service.
    • S 491 Honor America's Guard-Reserve Retirees Act (and HR 1025) recognizes the service in the reserve components of the Armed Forces of certain persons by honoring them with status as veterans under law.
    • HR 1169 National Guard Technician Equity Act eliminates inequities in the treatment of National Guard technicians; reduces the eligibility age for retirement for non-Regular service.
    • S 1025 National Guard Empowerment and State-National Defense Integration Act enhances the national defense through empowerment of the National Guard, enhancement of the functions of the National Guard Bureau, and improvement of Federal-State military coordination in domestic emergency response.
    • HR 1197 National Guard Retention & College Access Act encourages the enlistment and retention of persons in the D.C. National Guard by providing financial assistance to enable members of the D.C. National Guard to attend undergraduate, vocational, or technical courses.

    Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we're simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of an overwhelmingly complex legislative system.

  5. Issue Spotlight: Honoring Veterans Day

    by rachna on November 9, 2011

    In honor of Veterans Day, Nov. 11, POPVOX is spotlighting veterans legislation. We hope you will take a moment to review this list of bills (it’s divided by issue areas) and weigh in. POPVOX will deliver your comments to your Members of Congress.

    Veterans Employment

    • HR 2433 The Veterans Opportunity to Work Act makes certain improvements in the laws relating to the employment and training of veterans
    • S 745 S 745 protects certain veterans who would otherwise be subject to a reduction in educational assistance benefits
    • HR 1941 The Hiring Heroes Act (and S 951) improves the provision of Federal transition, rehabilitation, vocational, and unemployment benefits to members of the Armed Forces and veterans

    Honoring Veterans

    • S 402 The Cold War Service Medal Act (and HR 1968) awards military service medals for having served honorably during the Cold War
    • HRes 184 H.Res. 184 expresses support for a designation of a “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day”
    • HR 1025 The Honor America's Guard and Reserve Retirees Act (and S 491) recognizes the service in the reserve components of certain persons by honoring them with status as veterans under law

    Veterans Health

    • HR 198 The Veterans Dog Training Therapy Act directs the V.A. to carry out a pilot program on dog training therapy
    • HR 396 The TBI Treatment Act creates a pilot program to make payments for traumatic brain injury treatment
    • HR 2052 The Fort McClellan Health Registry Act directs the V.A. to establish a registry of certain veterans who were stationed at Fort McClellan, Alabama
    • S 1629 The Agent Orange Equity Act (and HR 812) clarifies presumptions relating to the exposure of certain veterans who served in the vicinity of Vietnam
    • HR 814 The Medicare VA Reimbursement Act provides Medicare payments to V.A. medical facilities for items and services provided to Medicare-eligible veterans for non-service-connected conditions
    • HR 329 The Chiropractic Care Available to All Veterans Act provides chiropractic care and services to veterans at all V.A. medical centers
    • S 277 The Caring for Camp Lejeune Veterans Act furnishes hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care to veterans who were stationed at Camp Lejeune, NC, while the water was contaminated there
    • HR 1742 The Janey Ensminger Act establishes a presumption of service connection for illnesses associated with contaminants in the water supply at Camp Lejeune, NC, and provides health care to family members of veterans who lived there while the water was contaminated
    • HR 2074 The Veterans Sexual Assault Prevention and Health Care Enhancement Act requires a comprehensive policy on reporting and tracking sexual assault incidents that occur at V.A. medical facilities and improves rehabilitative services for veterans with traumatic brain injury
    • S 1689 The Veterans Sexual Assault Prevention Act requires a comprehensive policy on reporting sexual assault incidents that occur at V.A. medical facilities
    • HR 930 HR 930 improves the disability compensation evaluation procedure for veterans related to military sexual trauma

    Veterans Homelessness

    • S 1148 The Veterans Programs Improvement Act improves the provision of assistance to homeless veterans and the regulation of fiduciaries who represent individuals for purposes of receiving benefits under laws administered by the V.A.
    • HR 287 The Homes for Heroes provides housing assistance for very low-income veterans

    Other Veterans Bills

    • S 1707 The Veterans Second Amendment Protection Act clarifies the conditions under which certain persons may be treated as adjudicated mentally incompetent for certain purposes
    • HR 2985 The Veteran’s I.D. Card Act directs the V.A. to issue, upon request, veteran identification cards to certain veterans
    • HR 1484 The Veterans Appeals Improvement Act improves the V.A. appeals process

    Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we're simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of an overwhelmingly complex legislative system.

  6. Entrepreneur Magazine--They've Got Your Backers

    by annalee on September 1, 2011

    They've Got Your Backers in Entrepreneur Magazine

  7. The Hill 101: Discharge Petition

    by marci on July 18, 2011

    Bill status: stuck in committee

    If you have paid attention to the "bill status" tab on POPVOX bills pages, you know that many have the same not-very-encouraging status:

    This bill or resolution was assigned to a congressional committee on [x date] which will consider it before possibly sending it on to the House or Senate as a whole. The majority of bills never make it past this point.

    That underlined portion was coined by our CTO Josh Tauberer years ago as he was building GovTrack .  Now, Josh is unquestionably a realist.  For example, our internal POPVOX message delivery system reports back "Not a failure!" when a message gets delivered to a Congressional office.  (A more optimistic person might call that "Success!", but Josh is much more cautious.)  In the case of bills making it through once referred to committee, however, I'm with Josh... and Bill:

    "I might die in committee..."

    One way out

    BUT, if you know your Elle Woods (that's " Legally Blonde, Part 2: Red, White & Blonde ", to be exact) you know there actually IS one way that a bill can be brought for a vote even if it does not get reported out of committee and is not selected by Leadership: a discharge petition . If at least half of the Members of the House sign to discharge a bill, it is brought to the Floor for a vote.

    Discharge petition filed

    Last week, Congressman Louis Gohmert (R-TX) filed a discharge petition for his bill, HR 1297, the Ensuring Pay for Our Military Act of 2011 . The bill appropriates funds to assure pay for active duty service members in the case of a government shutdown. There is a companion Senate bill, S. 724 , introduced by Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison .

    Watch its progress

    Discharge petitions are rare, but even more rare are successful discharge petitions. You can watch the progress on this one on the website of the House Clerk. Currently, the tally stands at 13. Only 212 signatures to go.

    Update: Discharge petition on China currency bill gaining steam

    Reuters is reporting that the discharge petition filed for Representative Sander Levin 's H.R. 639: Currency Reform for Fair Trade Act has 173 of the 218 signatures needed.

(For media inquiries, please contact Marci Harris, POPVOX’s CEO, at info@popvox.com.)

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