Legislative Accomplishments

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2021 Major Legislative Accomplishments

Active/Reserve Component (RC) Force and Retirement Issues

  • Secured 2.7% percent pay raise for both military service members and the Department of Defense (DoD) civilian workforce.
  • Provided Reserve and National Guard service members with incentive and special duty pays at the same rate as their active-duty counterparts.
  • Established a basic needs allowance to ensure that all service members can meet the basic needs of their families.
  • Requirement of a report by the DoD on family size within the military including if BAH accurately assesses the needs of military families’ moves.
  • Secured major legal and policy changes that emphasize prevention of sexual assault and harassment and provide sweeping changes to the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) on investigating and prosecuting these crimes.
  • Ensured authorization and appropriation of funding for National Guard Reserve Equipment Accounts (NGREA) to ensure that the Reserve Component can maintain strategic and operational roles.
  • Secured Coast Guard retirement account as an accrual account in the same manner as DoD retirement pay is managed, which guarantees they receive retirement pay even during a government shutdown.

Health Care Issues

  • One-year halt to medical billet cuts and enhanced congressional oversight including a U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) report on DoD analysis and mitigation planning and a DoD report to Congress on compliance with the congressional halt to medical billet cuts.
  • Implementation of additional changes to previous limitations on the realignment or reduction of military medical manning end strength in light of emerging requirements.
  • Requirement of the DoD to conduct a thorough and independent review of suicide prevention and response programs at various military installations.
  • Mental health schedulers pilot to evaluate the effectiveness of providing direct appointing assistance to beneficiaries seeking mental health care.
  • Report language directing DoD to establish an appeals process, based on medical necessity, for TRICARE Pharmacy Tier 4/non-covered prescription drugs.
  • Expansion of TRICARE coverage for preconception and prenatal carrier screening for certain genetic conditions.
  • Independent evaluation of the TRICARE Autism Care Demonstration by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.
  • Blocked additional TRICARE fee increases (beyond those already scheduled) in FY22.

Military Family/Survivor Issues

  • Created a new category of bereavement leave for military personnel that would permit service members to take up to two weeks of leave in connection with the death of a spouse or child.
  • Increased parental leave to 12 weeks for all service members for the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.
  • Authorization of an increase in funding of $70 million for Defense-wide Operations & Maintenance, Department of Defense Education Activity, for Impact Aid, including $20 million for military children with severe disabilities.
  • Expansion of the in-home child care pilot program providing financial assistance for in-home child care.
  • Establishment of an Exceptional Family Member Program Advisory Council to better support military families who have members with special needs.
  • Establishment of a three-year pilot program to provide employment support to the spouses of members of the Armed Forces through a paid fellowship with employers across a variety of industries.

Veterans Issues
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  • Passage of the Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers for Veterans Therapy Act provides a pilot program to help Veterans with PTSD receive service dogs.
  • TMC organizations worked to expand vaccine access through the SAVE LIVES Act, which allowed Veterans’ dependents to receive vaccines at VA facilities alongside their Veterans.
  • Supported comprehensive toxic exposure reforms by working with VA and the Veterans Affairs Committees to ensure Veterans receive the care and benefits they deserve.
  • As we enter the second session of the 117th Congress, TMC’s Major Richard Star Act Working Group continues to build momentum and support in both the House and Senate for this important legislation, which will provide concurrent receipt of retirement and disability benefits for more than 40,000 combat-wounded, medically retired Veterans.