115 Congressional Legislation of Interest to GSW

Dependent Indemnity Compensation (DIC):

DIC has only been increased by Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) since 1993. GSW is looking for a primary sponsor and passage of a bill to increase DIC to the 55% level; this would make DIC equitable with other Federal employee survivor benefit plans. Even a “Sunset Provision” would be favorable. This would mean a gradual increase over a period of time. For example: a 3% increase every year for 10 years. The monthly DIC is payable to surviving spouses by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

Survivor Benefit Pension/DIC Offset (SBP/DIC):

H.R. 846: The Military Widow’s Tax Elimination 2017 was introduced in the House by Representative Joe Wilson and S.339: The Military Surviving Spouses Equity Act of 2017 was introduced in the Senate by Senator Bill Nelson. Both bills are: “To amend title 10, United States Code, to repeal the requirement for reduction of survivor annuities under the Survivor Benefit Plan by veterans’ dependency and indemnity compensation.” S.339 is a companion bill for H.R. 846. GSW supports their passage.

Change in GSW’s Federal Charter:

US code: Title 36>Subtitle II>Part B Section 80507, Restrictions: b) Political Activities: The corporation, or director or officer as such may not contribute in any political activity or in any manner attempt to influence legislation. GSW wishes to eliminate the last few words of Section80507 (b) “in any manner attempt to influence legislation.” GSW is currently looking for a House and Senate sponsor.

Education:

H.R. 2103: Julian Woods Yellow Ribbon Program Expansion Act was introduced in the House by Representative John Rutherford and S.798: Yellow Ribbon Improvement Act of 2017 was introduced in the Senate by Senator Bill Cassidy. Both bills are: “To amend title 38, United States Code, to expand the Yellow Ribbon G.I. Education Enhancement Program to apply to individuals pursuing programs of education while on active duty, to recipients of the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry scholarship, and to programs of education pursued on half-time basis or less, and for other purposes.” GSW supports passage of these bills.

Healthcare:

H.R.92: CHAMPAVA Children’s Protection Act of 2017 was introduced in the House by Representative Julia Brownley and S. 423: CHAMPVA Children's Care Protection Act of 2017 was introduced in the Senate by Senator Jon Tester. “These bills increase from 23 to 26 the maximum age of eligibility for certain dependent children of veterans for medical care under CHAMPVA (the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs).” GSW supports passage of these bills.

Other Current bills GSW supports:

S.120: Bring Our Heroes Home Act of 2017 was introduced in the House by Representative Dean Heller. “This bill will provide a review board at the National Archives with the authority to declassify unnecessarily classified records that may provide new information on the whereabouts of POW/MIAs.” GSW supports passage of this bill.

H.R. 544: Private Corrado Piccoli Purple Heart Preservation Act was introduced in the House by Representative Paul Cook. “This bill will regulate the purchase, production, sale or exchange of military medals or decorations and not authorize the sale of a Purple Heart awarded to a member of the Armed Services.” GSW supports the passage of this bill.

H.R.1328: American Heroes COLA Act of 2017 was introduced in the House by Representative Mike Bost. “This bill requires that whenever there is an increase in benefit amounts payable under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs shall increase by the same percentage the amounts payable as veterans' disability compensation, additional compensation for dependents, the clothing allowance for certain disabled adult children, and dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children.” GSW supports passage of this bill.

H.R.991: Guaranteed 3 Percent COLA for Seniors Act of 2017 was introduced in the House by Representative Eliot Engel. “This bill requires the establishment of a Consumer Price Index for Elderly Consumers to compute cost-of-living increases for Social Security benefits under title II of the Social Security Act and to provide, in the case of elderly beneficiaries under such title, for an annual cost-of-living increase which is not less than 3 percent.” GSW supports passage of this bill.