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• Multilateral Development Banks: How the United States Makes and Implements Policy [August 7, 2012]

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  "This report analyzes how the United States makes policy towards the multilateral development banks (MDBs) and identifies ways by which Congress can shape U.S. policy and influence the activities of the banks themselves. The executive branch and Congress share responsibility for U.S. policy towards the MDBs and each has primary control over a different part of the policy process. The Administration is responsible for negotiating with other countries and for managing day-to-day U.S. participation in the MDBs. Congress has ultimate authority over the level of U.S. financial commitments and the criteria that govern U.S. participation in these institutions. Congress has authorized the President to direct U.S. participation in the MDBs, and the President has delegated that authority to the Secretary of the Treasury. Other agencies also have reasons for being concerned about U.S. policy and the MDBs. The Administration created a new process, starting in 2009, to help coordinate interagency views on MDB issues. Authorizing legislation is managed by the House Financial Services Committee and Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs handle the appropriations. Since 1981, MDB legislation has become law through the regular legislative process only once. Usually it is enacted as a rider to other legislation."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Nelson, Rebecca M.; Weiss, Martin A.

  2012-08-07
• Moldova: Background and U.S. Policy [August 27, 2012]

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  "The United States and Moldova have enjoyed good relations since the country's independence in 1991. In a sign of support for the pro-Western government, Vice President Joseph Biden visited Moldova in March 2011. At a speech in Chisinau, the country's capital, Biden praised Moldova for its commitment to reform and democratic values, including the holding of free and fair elections. He called on Moldova to continue its efforts to create a transparent legal system, to fight corruption, and to end human trafficking. He said that the United States would continue to support a settlement for Transnistria that preserves Moldova's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. He said U.S. aid will help the Moldovan government create policies to spur economic growth and attract foreign investment, train civil society to become more effective advocates, and help improve Moldova's schools. Moldova is seeking permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) from the United States by terminating the application of the Jackson-Vanik amendment to Moldova. House and Senate committees have passed bills that would extend PNTR to Moldova (H.R. 6156 and S. 3406, respectively), but both still await floor consideration."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Woehrel, Steven J.

  2012-08-27
• Military Base Closures: Role and Costs of Environmental Cleanup [January 10, 2006]

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  "In first session of the 109th Congress, a new round of military base closures and realignments was approved. As the Department of Defense (DOD) proceeds with implementation, potential issues for congressional oversight include the pace and costs of closing and realigning the bases and the impacts on surrounding communities. The disposal of property on these bases has stimulated interest among affected communities in how the land can be redeveloped to replace lost jobs. Environmental contamination can present a challenge to economic redevelopment if funding or technological constraints limit the degree of cleanup needed to make the land safe for its intended use. Most of the land on bases closed under past rounds has been cleaned up and transferred for redevelopment. However, some bases have yet to be cleaned up to an extent that would be adequate for the planned land use. Bases closed under the 2005 round could face similar redevelopment delays if a community's preferred land use requires a costly and time-consuming degree of cleanup. This report provides an overview of cleanup requirements for the transfer and reuse of base closure properties, discusses the status of property transfer on bases closed under prior rounds, examines costs to clean up bases closed under the prior rounds, and discusses cleanup costs and issues for the 2005 round. This report will be updated as events warrant."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Bearden, David M.

  2006-01-10
• Military Service Records and Unit Histories: A Guide to Locating Sources [July 26, 2012]

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  "This guide provides information on locating military unit histories and individual service records of discharged, retired, and deceased military personnel. It includes contact information for military history centers, websites for additional sources of research, and a bibliography of other publications. This report will be updated as needed."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Gomez, Julissa; Leland, Anne

  2012-07-26
• Morocco: Current Issues [February 23, 2011]

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  "The United States government views Morocco as a moderate Arab regime, an important ally against terrorism, and a free trade partner. Congress is particularly interested in Morocco because it is a recipient of considerable U.S. foreign assistance to help it combat terror and to develop. Morocco is also a significant purchaser of U.S. arms."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Arieff, Alexis

  2011-02-23
• Morocco: Current Issues [December 20, 2010]

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  "The United States government views Morocco as a moderate Arab regime, an important ally against terrorism, and a free trade partner. Congress is particularly interested in Morocco because it is a recipient of considerable U.S. foreign assistance to help it combat terror and to develop."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Migdalovitz, Carol

  2010-12-20
• Military Justice: Courts-Martial, An Overview [March 31, 2011]

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  "A string of recent high profile military-related cases, including Maj. Nidal Hasan, the alleged shooter at Fort Hood, and Pfc. Bradley Manning, the alleged source of leaked classified materials through the organization WikiLeaks, has resulted in increased public and congressional interest in military discipline and the military justice system. In the criminal law system, some basic objectives are to discover the truth, acquit the innocent without unnecessary delay or expense, punish the guilty proportionately with their crimes, and prevent and deter further crime, thereby providing for the public order. Military justice shares these objectives in part, but also serves to enhance discipline throughout the Armed Forces, serving the overall objective of providing an effective national defense."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Mason, R. Chuck

  2011-03-31
• Morocco: Current Issues [February 3, 2010]

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  "The United States government views Morocco as a moderate Arab regime, an ally against terrorism, and a free trade partner. King Mohammed VI retains supreme power but has taken incremental liberalizing steps. Since 9/11, Moroccan expatriates have been implicated in international terrorism, and Morocco has suffered terror attacks. Morocco takes a proactive approach to countering terror, but some of its measures may be setting back progress in human rights. Morocco's foreign policy focuses largely on Europe, particularly France and Spain, and the United States. In the Middle East, it supports a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and has severed diplomatic relations with Iran for bilateral reasons."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Migdalovitz, Carol

  2010-02-03
• Morocco: Current Issues [December 4, 2008]

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  "The Bush Administration views Morocco as a moderate Arab regime, an ally against terrorism, and a free trade partner. King Mohammed VI retains supreme power but has taken incremental liberalizing steps. Since 9/11, Moroccan expatriates have been implicated in international terrorism, and Morocco has suffered terror attacks. Counterterror measures may be setting back progress in human rights. Morocco's foreign policy focuses largely on Europe, particularly France and Spain, and the United States. This report will be updated as developments warrant."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Migdalovitz, Carol

  2008-12-04
• Military Justice: Courts-Martial, An Overview [March 14, 2012]

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  "Recent high profile military-related cases involving U.S. armed forces in Afghanistan, including the deadly attack on Afghan civilians allegedly by a servicemember, the accidental burning of the Quran, and servicemembers allegedly urinating on Afghan corpses, have resulted in increased public and congressional interest in military discipline and the military justice system. Many of these recent cases, including those of Maj. Nidal Hasan, the alleged shooter at Fort Hood, Pfc. Bradley Manning, the alleged source of leaked classified material through the organization WikiLeaks, and quite possibly, the recent attack on the Afghan civilians, have raised questions regarding the mental capacity of the accused and how the military justice system addresses this concern. In the criminal law system, some basic objectives are to discover the truth, acquit the innocent without unnecessary delay or expense, punish the guilty proportionately with their crimes, and prevent and deter further crime, thereby providing for the public order. Military justice shares these objectives in part, but also serves to enhance discipline throughout the Armed Forces, serving the overall objective of providing an effective national defense. […] The table that concludes this report compares selected procedural safeguards employed in criminal trials in federal criminal court with parallel protective measures in military general courts-martial."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Mason, R. Chuck

  2012-03-14
• Military Pay and Benefits: Key Questions and Answers [January 24, 2007]

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  "In the late 1990s, the military services were facing considerable recruiting and career retention problems. In responding, Congress was mindful of how inadequate pay had contributed to decreased recruit quality in the late 1970s. It authorized larger pay raises, increased special pays and bonuses, provided more recruiting resources, and repealed planned military retired pay reductions for future retirees. The 110th Congress likely will face issues relating to military pay, bonuses and benefits. […] The across-the-board increases in military pay discussed each year relate to military basic pay, which is the one element of military compensation that all military personnel in the same pay grade and with the same number of years of service receive. However, numerous other elements are in the total military compensation 'package.' These other elements are important in determining whether a 'pay gap' exists between military and civilian pay, because the numerous different elements of military pay make it difficult to compare to civilian salaries and other benefits. Since the early 1990s, numerous changes in benefits have greatly favored individual members. These include changes in the cash allowance received by personnel not living in military housing, a major overhaul of military health care, and repeal of military retired pay cuts first enacted in 1986. This report will be updated as needed."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Henning, Charles A.

  2007-01-24
• Military Medical Care: Questions and Answers [May 20, 2008]

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  "The primary mission of the military health system, which encompasses the Defense Department's hospitals, clinics, and medical personnel, is to maintain the health of military personnel so they can carry out their military missions, and to be prepared to deliver health care during wartime. The military health system also provides, where space is available, health care services in Department of Defense (DOD) medical facilities to dependents of active duty service members and to retirees and their dependents. […]Some retirees groups advocate opening the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) to military retirees, but an FEHBP demonstration project did not prove very popular among beneficiaries. This report will be updated as new information becomes available. Military health care issues are addressed in annual defense authorization and appropriations bills; for additional details and the status of current legislation, see CRS Report RL33999, Defense: FY2008 Authorization and Appropriations, by Pat Towell, Stephen Daggett, Amy Belasco."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Best, Richard A.

  2008-05-20
• Military Retirement: Major Legislative Issues [January 3, 2006]

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  "The military retirement system includes benefits for retirement after an active or reserve military career, disability retirement, and survivor benefits for eligible survivors of deceased retirees. […] The most significant military retirement issue Congress dealt with in 2005 was whether military retirees with a 100% VA [Veterans Affairs] unemployability rating, but less than a 100% disability rating, should be entitled to full concurrent receipt as was provided to 100% disability retirees in 2004. The House version of the FY2006 NDAA [National Defense Authorization Act] would allow such retirees full concurrent receipt effective October 1, 2009, rather than the January 1, 2014 date currently in effect; the Senate version would have allowed immediate concurrent receipt for this population. The House version prevailed in the Conference Committee. The most recent military retirement cost-of-living-adjustment (COLA) was 4.1%, first applied to the retired pay disbursed on January 1, 2006. The next regularly scheduled COLA will be applied on January 1, 2007."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Henning, Charles A.

  2006-01-03
• Military Pay and Benefits: Key Questions and Answers [January 3, 2006]

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  "In the late 1990s, the military services were facing considerable recruiting and career retention problems. In responding, Congress was mindful of how low pay had contributed to decreased recruit quality in the late 1970s. It authorized larger pay raises, increased special pays and bonuses, more recruiting resources, and repeal of planned military retired pay reductions for future retirees. In the midst of these efforts, the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, took place, providing a sense of national unity and military purpose. The 9/11 attacks and the programmatic changes noted above initially helped recruiting substantially in the early 2000s. However, the grueling pace of deployments to and from Iraq and Afghanistan, combined with the dangers of combat, have finally begun to cause long-anticipated recruiting problems. In 2005, the Army, Army National Guard, and Army Reserve all fell short of their recruiting goals. Career retention is difficult to measure, due to the suspended separation and retirement of many personnel since September 11, 2001, but so far retention has been more than satisfactory."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Henning, Charles A.

  2006-01-03
• Military Base Closures and Affected Defense Department Civil Service Employees [April 16, 2007]

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  "As a step in the 2005 round of the base realignment and closure (BRAC) process, the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission (commonly referred to as the BRAC Commission) recommended on September 8, 2005, that a number of domestic U.S. military installations be closed or realigned. Overall, the BRAC Commission estimated that the recommended closures or realignments would result in a net decrease of 15,874 federal civilian jobs at the Department of Defense (DOD). On September 15, 2005, the President approved the commission's recommendations and transmitted them to Congress. Congress rejected H.J.Res. 65 (a resolution of disapproval of the BRAC Commission recommendations) on October 27, 2005. The BRAC Commission recommendations took effect on November 9, 2005, and are required to be implemented by 2011. As BRAC-related closures and realignments are implemented, there will likely be several implications and options for affected DOD civil service employees relating to reductions in force (RIFs) and several types of transition assistance. In addition, DOD's National Security Personnel System (NSPS) and labor-management relations could have implications in some respects for how DOD employees are affected by the BRAC process. This report will be updated if major changes occur in the BRAC process regarding DOD civil service employees. Implementation of NSPS is discussed in CRS Report RL31954, 'DOD's National Security Personnel System: Statute, Regulations, and Implementation Plans', coordinated by Barbara Schwemle."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Brass, Clinton T.; Schwemle, Barbara L.; Shimabukuro, Jon O.

  2007-04-16
• Millennium Challenge Account [June 2, 2008]

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  "In a speech on March 14, 2002, President Bush outlined a proposal for a major new U.S. foreign aid initiative. The Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) is managed by the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) and provides assistance, through a competitive selection process, to developing nations that are pursing political and economic reforms in three areas: ruling justly, investing in people, and fostering economic freedom. […] Congress authorized the MCC in P.L. 108-199 (January 23, 2004). Since that time, the MCC's Board of Directors has selected 27 eligible countries during the period from FY2004 through FY2008 (another, The Gambia, was suspended in 2006) and approved 16 Compacts with Madagascar (April 2005), Honduras June 2005), Cape Verde (July 2005), Nicaragua (July 2005), Georgia (September 2005), Benin (February 2006), Vanuatu (March 2006), Armenia (March 2006), Ghana (August 2006), Mali (November 2006), El Salvador (November 2006), Mozambique (July 2007), Lesotho (July 2007), Morocco (August 2007), Mongolia (September 2007), and Tanzania (September 2007). MCA implementation matters continue to unfold, including the relationship of MCA and USAID, sectors chosen, and the impact of rising costs on country programs. A growing question raised by some Members of Congress concerns the level of funding to support MCC programs. Some fear that insufficient funds might force the MCC to reduce the number of recipients or the size of the grants. Others, however, support reductions in MCC budget requests, believing that the slower-than anticipated pace of Compact agreements means that the Corporation has enough resources. This report will be updated as events unfold."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Tarnoff, Curt

  2008-06-02
• Military Airlift: C-17 Aircraft Program [June 5, 2007]

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  "The C-17 Globemaster III is a long-range cargo/transport aircraft operated by the U.S. Air Force since 1993. Congress approved development of the aircraft in the late 1970s, when it was recognized that the Air Force did not have enough airlift capability. In 1981, the McDonnell Douglas C-17 emerged as winner of a competition with Boeing and Lockheed to develop a next-generation aircraft to replace C-130s and C-141s. Full-scale development of the C-17 got underway in 1986, but technical problems and funding shortfalls delayed the program, leading to slipped schedules and increased costs. Despite those difficulties, the C-17 has retained broad congressional support and enjoys strong Air Force and Army backing. Defense officials view the C-17 as essential because of its ability to fly long distances with large payloads yet still use smaller bases in remote areas. […] DOD [Department of Defense] planned to end C-17 production at 180 aircraft in FY2007, but both authorizers and appropriators voiced concern over that plan. Appropriators provided $2 billion in un-requested funding to purchase 10 additional C-17 aircraft and directed DOD to fund the program in FY2008. The C-17 program is at the center of a number of airlift debates that confront policymakers. These issues include, but may not be limited to airlift needs and requirements, cost and budget, and industrial base issues."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Bolkcom, Christopher C.

  2007-06-05
• Mine-Resistant, Ambush-Protected (MRAP) Vehicles: Background and Issues for Congress [September 25, 2007]

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  "The Department of Defense (DOD) recently launched a major procurement initiative to replace all uparmored High Mobility, Multi-Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWVs) in Iraq with Mine-Resistant, Ambush-Protected (MRAP) vehicles by FY2009. MRAPs have been described as providing twice as much protection against Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) -- responsible for about 70% of U.S. casualties in Iraq -- than up-armored HMMWVs. The DOD's accelerated MRAP program raises a number of potential policy issues for congressional consideration. This report will be updated."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Feickert, Andrew

  2007-09-25
• Mine-Resistant, Ambush-Protected (MRAP) Vehicles: Background and Issues for Congress [June 6, 2008]

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  "In late 2007, the Department of Defense (DOD) launched a major procurement initiative to replace most up-armored High Mobility, Multi-Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWVs) in Iraq with Mine-Resistant, Ambush-Protected (MRAP) vehicles by FY2009. MRAPs have been described as providing significantly more protection against Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) than up-armored HMMWVs. The DOD's accelerated MRAP program, decisions on the number of MRAPs procured, and MRAP's performance in urban and counterinsurgency operations raise a number of potential policy issues for congressional consideration. This report will be updated."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Feickert, Andrew

  2008-06-06
• Military Service Records and Unit Histories: A Guide to Locating Sources [June 13, 2007]

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  "This report is a guide to locating individual service records and military unit histories from the American Revolution to the present. This guide provides referral information for locating individual service records of discharged and deceased veterans. It includes information regarding locating and obtaining active service records. Also included are relevant addresses and websites of government agencies, historical associations, and a select bibliography. This report will be updated as needed."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Gomez, Julissa; Walker Klarman, Kim

  2007-06-13
• Military Medical Care: Questions and Answers [February 28, 2013]

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  "'The primary objective of the military health system, which includes the Defense Department's hospitals, clinics, and medical personnel, is to maintain the health of military personnel so they can carry out their military missions and to be prepared to deliver health care during wartime. The military health system also covers dependents of active duty personnel, military retirees, and their dependents, including some members of the reserve components. The military health system provides health care services through either Department of Defense (DOD) medical facilities, known as 'military treatment facilities' or 'MTFs' as space is available, or through private health care providers. The military health system currently includes some 56 hospitals and 365 clinics serving 9.7 million beneficiaries. It operates worldwide and employs some 58,369 civilians and 86,007 military personnel. Since 1966, civilian care to millions of dependents and retirees (and retirees' dependents) has been provided through a program still known in law as the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS), but more commonly known as TRICARE. […] This report answers several frequently asked questions about military health care, including [1] How is the military health system structured? [2] What is TRICARE? [3] What are the different TRICARE plans and who is eligible? [4] What are the costs of military health care to beneficiaries? [5] What is the relationship of TRICARE to Medicare? [6] How does the Affordable Care Act affect TRICARE? [7] What are the long-term trends in defense health care costs? [and 8] What is the Medicare Eligible Retiree Health Care fund, which funds TRICARE for Life?"

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Blakeley, Katherine; Jansen, Don J.

  2013-02-28
• Multilateral Development Banks: How the United States Makes and Implements Policy [March 7, 2013]

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  "This report analyzes how the United States makes policy towards the multilateral development banks (MDBs) and identifies ways by which Congress can shape U.S. policy and influence the activities of the banks themselves. The executive branch and Congress share responsibility for U.S. policy towards the MDBs and each has primary control over a different part of the policy process. The Administration is responsible for negotiating with other countries and for managing day-to-day U.S. participation in the MDBs. Congress has ultimate authority over the level of U.S. financial commitments and the criteria that govern U.S. participation in these institutions. Congress has authorized the President to direct U.S. participation in the MDBs, and the President has delegated that authority to the Secretary of the Treasury. Other agencies also have reasons for being concerned about U.S. policy and the MDBs. The Administration created a new process, starting in 2009, to help coordinate interagency views on MDB issues. […] Congress exercises its influence over MDB policy through its control over authorizations and appropriations and through oversight. The authorizing committees have included in MDB authorizing legislation many directives which affect the goal and direction of U.S. policy. Congress has also used its control over the funding process--its 'power of the purse'--to set priorities and encourage the Administration and MDBs to consider changes in their policies or procedures. Congress has used hearings and required reports to get information about U.S. policy and the MDBs onto the public record and to draw the Treasury Department's attention to issues of pressing concern. Since the Administration knows it must come to Congress for future authorizations and MDB funding, the views expressed by Congress through hearings have often had an impact on the focus and direction of U.S. policy regarding particular concerns."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Nelson, Rebecca M.; Weiss, Martin A.

  2013-03-07
• Moldova: Background and U.S. Policy [February 1, 2013]

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  "Although a small country, Moldova has been of interest to U.S. policymakers due to its position between NATO and EU member Romania and strategic Ukraine. In addition, some experts have expressed concern about Russian efforts to extend its hegemony over Moldova through various methods, including a troop presence, manipulation of Moldova's relationship with its breakaway Transnistria region, and energy supplies and other economic links. Moldova's political and economic weakness has made it a source of organized criminal activity of concern to U.S. policymakers, including trafficking in persons. Moldova is governed by the Alliance for European Integration, a center-right coalition of three parties. Prime Minister Vlad Filat has said he is focused on dismantling the country's Communist legacy and building a state ruled by law. However, conflicts with the Communist opposition and tensions within the coalition appear to have slowed reform efforts. Moldova is Europe's poorest country, according to the World Bank. Remittances from Moldovans working abroad amounted to 22% of the country's Gross Domestic Product in 2010. The global financial crisis has had a negative impact on Moldova. Moldova's currency weakened and remittances dropped, as Moldovan emigrants lost jobs in other hard-hit countries. Moldova's GDP [Gross Domestic Product] dropped by 7.3% in 2009, rebounded by 6.9% in 2010 and 6.5% in 2011, only to stall in 2012. As a self-declared neutral country, Moldova does not seek NATO membership, but participates in NATO's Partnership for Peace (PFP) program. Moldova is currently negotiating an Association Agreement with the European Union (EU), which provides for cooperation in a wide variety of spheres, including a free trade agreement. Moldova hopes to become a candidate for EU membership, although the EU is unlikely to accept Moldova in the foreseeable future, due to Moldova's poverty, the EU's own internal challenges, and possibly also due to concerns that it would set a precedent for the candidacy of other former Soviet states, such as Ukraine."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Woehrel, Steven J.

  2013-02-01
• Multilateral Development Banks: U.S. Contributions FY2000-FY2013 [February 1, 2013]

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  "This report shows in tabular form how much the Administration requested and how much Congress appropriated for U.S. payments to the multilateral development banks (MDBs) since 2000. It also provides a brief description of the MDBs and the ways they fund their operations. It will be updated periodically as annual appropriation figures are known. The title of this report will also change annually, as new yearly appropriation figures are added. For FY2013, the Administration has requested funds for several of the non-concessional lending facilities at the MDBs. Several of the MDBs are in the process of increasing the size of their nonconcessional lending facilities, a process frequently called a 'general capital increase' (GCI). GCIs are relatively unusual, particularly for so many institutions at the same time. Contributions to the GCIs are expected to be spread out over a five- to eight-year period, depending on the institution. For most of the institutions, the funds appropriated in FY2012 were the first annual payment. In addition to funds for the GCIs, the Administration has requested for FY2013 funds for several MDB concessional lending facilities and more targeted MDB funds, such as those dedicated to environmental issues. The total Administration's request for the MDBs is smaller than its requests in FY2011 and FY2012."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Nelson, Rebecca M.

  2013-02-01
• Military Construction, Military Quality of Life and Veterans Affairs: FY 2007 Appropriations [December 1, 2006]

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  "The annual consideration of appropriations bills (regular, continuing, and supplemental) by Congress is part of a complex set of budget processes that also encompasses the consideration of budget resolutions, revenue and debt-limit legislation, other spending measures, and reconciliation bills. In addition, the operation of programs and the spending of appropriated funds are subject to constraints established in authorizing statutes. Congressional action on the budget for a fiscal year usually begins following the submission of the President's budget at the beginning of each annual session of Congress. Congressional practices governing the consideration of appropriations and other budgetary measures are rooted in the Constitution, the standing rules of the House and Senate, and statutes, such as the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974. This report is a guide to one of the regular appropriations bills that Congress considers each year. It is designed to supplement the information provided by the House Military Quality of Life and Veterans Affairs and Senate Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittees. It summarizes the status of the bill, its scope, major issues, funding levels, and related congressional activity, and is updated as events warrant. The report lists the key CRS [Congressional Research Service] staff relevant to the issues covered and related CRS products."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Else, Daniel H.; Graney, Paul J.

  2006-12-01
• Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies: FY2009 Appropriations [July 7, 2008]

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  "The President submitted his FY2009 appropriations request to Congress on February 4, 2008, including $115.3 billion for programs covered in this appropriations bill: $24.4 billion for Title I (military construction and family housing); $90.8 billion for Title II (veterans affairs); and $183 million for Title III (related agencies). Compared with funding thus far appropriated for FY2008 (emergency supplemental appropriations are pending), this represents increases for Title I of $3.8 billion (18.3%), for Title II of $3.2 billion (3.6%), and for Title III of $16.7 million (10.1%). The overall increase in appropriations between that requested for FY2009 and enacted for FY2008 is $7.0 billion (6.4%). […] In terms of medical care afforded to veterans, similar to the past six years, the Administration has included several cost sharing proposals including increase in pharmacy copayments and enrollment fees for lower priority veterans. An additional proposal would bill veterans directly for treatment of nonservice-connected conditions. The House Appropriations Committee draft bill provides $40.8 billion for Veterans Health Administration for FY2009, a 9.6% increase over the FY2008 enacted amount of $37.2 billion, and 4.1% above the President's request of $39.2 billion. The draft bill does not include any provisions that would give the Department of Veterans Affairs the authority to implement fee increases. This report will be updated as events warrant."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Panangala, Sidath Viranga; Scott, Christine A.; Else, Daniel H.

  2008-07-07
• Military Construction, Military Quality of Life and Veterans Affairs: FY 2007 Appropriations [August 4, 2006]

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  "The structure of the Committees on Appropriations underwent significant change with the beginning of the 109th Congress. As a result, jurisdictions over the appropriations covered in this report, including military construction, military housing allowances, military installation maintenance and operation, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and other veteran-related agencies, rest in the House Committee on Appropriations with the new Subcommittee on Military Quality of Life and Veterans Affairs. In the Senate Committee on Appropriations, jurisdiction for military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and other veteran-related agencies lies with the Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, while military housing allowances and military installation maintenance and operation are the responsibility of the Subcommittee on Defense. Authorization jurisdictions lie with the two Committees on the Armed Services and Committees on Veterans Affairs."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Else, Daniel H.; Graney, Paul J.; Panangala, Sidath Viranga

  2006-08-04
• Military Retirement, Concurrent Receipt, and Related Major Legislative Issues [January 24, 2007]

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  "The military retirement system includes benefits for retirement after an active or reserve military career, disability retirement, and survivor benefits for eligible survivors of deceased retirees. […] The change to the system that has generated the most recent legislative activity involves whether some or all military retirees should be allowed to receive both military retired pay and any VA [Veterans Affairs] disability compensation to which they are otherwise entitled; this is referred to as 'concurrent receipt.' Until 2004, the law provided that military retired pay had to be reduced by the amount of VA disability compensation. Some maintained this was inequitable and unfair; it was defended on grounds of cost and of the need to avoid setting a precedent for concurrent receipt of numerous other federal benefits. […] The most significant military retirement issue the 109th Congress dealt with in 2006 was whether military retirees with a 100% VA 'un'employability rating, but less than a 100% 'dis'ability rating, should be entitled to full concurrent receipt as was provided to 100% disability retirees in 2004. The Senate version of the FY2007 NDAA [National Defense Authorization Act] would have granted such retirees full concurrent receipt retroactive to December 31, 2004 rather than the October 1, 2009 date currently in effect; the House version did not address this issue. The Senate provision was not accepted by the Conference Committee. The 110th Congress will likely revisit this issue. This report will be updated as needed."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Henning, Charles A.

  2007-01-24
• Military Pay and Benefits: Key Questions and Answers [March 14, 2006]

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  "In the late 1990s, the military services were facing considerable recruiting and career retention problems. In responding, Congress was mindful of how inadequate pay had contributed to decreased recruit quality in the late 1970s. It authorized larger pay raises, increased special pays and bonuses, provided more recruiting resources, and repealed planned military retired pay reductions for future retirees. In the midst of these efforts, the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, took place, providing a sense of national unity and military purpose. The 9/11 attacks and the programmatic changes noted above initially helped recruiting substantially in the early 2000s. However, the grueling pace of deployments to and from Iraq and Afghanistan, combined with the dangers of combat, have finally begun to cause long-anticipated recruiting problems. In 2005, the Army, Army National Guard, and Army Reserve all fell short of their recruiting goals. Career retention is difficult to measure, due to the suspended separation and retirement of many personnel since September 11, 2001, but so far retention has been more than satisfactory. […] Based upon the September, 2004 to September, 2005 Employment Cost Index (ECI), a 2007 pay raise of 2.2% is anticipated without further congressional action. In addition, DOD has announced tentative plans for a midyear targeted pay raise in 2007."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Henning, Charles A.

  2006-03-14
• Military Base Closures: Role and Costs of Environmental Cleanup [January 3, 2007]

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  "Near the end of its first session, the 109th Congress approved a new round of military base closures and realignments. As the Department of Defense (DOD) implements the new round, potential issues for the 110th Congress include the pace and costs of closing and realigning the bases and the impacts on surrounding communities. The disposal of surplus property has stimulated interest among affected communities in how the land can be redeveloped to replace lost jobs. Environmental contamination can present a challenge to economic redevelopment if funding or technological constraints would limit the degree of cleanup needed to make the land safe for its intended use. Most of the land on bases closed under prior rounds has been cleaned up and transferred for redevelopment. However, some bases have yet to be cleaned up to an extent adequate for the planned land use. Bases closed under the 2005 round could face similar redevelopment delays if a community's preferred land use requires a costly and time-consuming degree of cleanup. This report explains cleanup requirements for the transfer and reuse of properties on closed bases, discusses property transfer status and cleanup costs on bases closed in prior rounds, and examines estimates of costs to clean up bases to be closed in the 2005 round to make these properties safe for civilian reuse."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Bearden, David M.

  2007-01-03