NELSON PROVISIONS COVERING SOLDIER TRAVEL AND MATERNITY LEAVE ADOPTED BY SENATE PANEL

Nebraska's Senator Uses Chairmanship to Boost Benefits for Troops

May 2, 2008 - America's brave men and women in the Armed Services will receive a myriad of increased benefits through legislation approved by a Senate Panel this week, including travel costs provided during forced leave periods and expanded maternity leave, both offered by Nebraska’s Senator Ben Nelson.

The Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) approved the 2009 National Defense Authorization bill on Wednesday. That legislation authorizes the budget for our national defense and security programs and included several provisions boosting benefits for military personnel. Nelson is a member of the SASC and chairman of the Personnel Subcommittee.

"Our military personnel spend day and night working to defend and protect our country and its interests," said Senator Nelson. "We must work equally as hard to provide our men and women in uniform the support and benefits they require and deserve."

Senator Nelson offered the amendment adopted by the SASC that allows the Secretary of Defense to use Department of Defense (DoD) funds to pay for travel if a reserve member is placed on leave because of training suspensions or staffing issues. The language would apply to situations where a reserve member is more than 300 miles from home and has been placed on leave for a period of 5 days or more.

Nelson also co-sponsored an amendment requiring the Secretary of Defense to review the current Defense Department policies regarding deferment from deployment of female service members following the birth of a child. Current policies differ greatly among the various military services and some, particularly the Army and Air Force, are far too short, according to Nelson.

Both amendments were initially approved by the Personnel Subcommittee.

"This legislation serves as the cornerstone of our security policy and I am so glad that it effectively authorizes funds for DoD activities both seen and unseen that keep us safe," said Nelson. "At a time of war, it is important that we responsibly dedicate the resources we need to keep America safe and also provide the needed benefits to recruit and retain military personnel."

The bill also authorizes $4 million in total for the Crypto-Linguist/Intelligence Officer Initiative, including $750,000 in Operations and Maintenance funding and $3.3M in personnel funding.

Some other highlights of this legislation include:

A 3.9 percent across board pay raise; .5 percent above the President’s budget request;
An increase in the maximum enlistment period from 6 to 8 years;
Authorizing the Secretary of Defense to carry out programs to provide training and education to spouses for active duty service members who are pursuing portable careers;
Authorizing $30 million for impact aid, $10 million in special assistance to local education agencies, and $5 million in impact aid for children with severe disabilities;
Requiring the Secretary of Defense to develop a comprehensive policy designed to prevent suicides by members of the armed forces;
Requiring the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Chairmen, Joint Chiefs of Staff and Chief National Guard Bureau, to develop a strategic plan to enhance the role of the National Guard/Reserves;
Providing service members separated under the department’s sole survivor son or daughter policy with separation pay, transitional health care and transitional commissary benefits.

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	Press Release	May 2, 2008
NELSON PROVISIONS COVERING SOLDIER TRAVEL AND MATERNITY LEAVE ADOPTED BY SENATE PANEL Nebraska's Senator Uses Chairmanship to Boost Benefits for Troops May 2, 2008 - America's brave men and women in the Armed Services will receive a myriad of increased benefits through legislation approved by a Senate Panel this week, including travel costs provided during forced leave periods and expanded maternity leave, both offered by Nebraska’s Senator Ben Nelson. The Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) approved the 2009 National Defense Authorization bill on Wednesday. That legislation authorizes the budget for our national defense and security programs and included several provisions boosting benefits for military personnel. Nelson is a member of the SASC and chairman of the Personnel Subcommittee. "Our military personnel spend day and night working to defend and protect our country and its interests," said Senator Nelson. "We must work equally as hard to provide our men and women in uniform the support and benefits they require and deserve." Senator Nelson offered the amendment adopted by the SASC that allows the Secretary of Defense to use Department of Defense (DoD) funds to pay for travel if a reserve member is placed on leave because of training suspensions or staffing issues. The language would apply to situations where a reserve member is more than 300 miles from home and has been placed on leave for a period of 5 days or more. Nelson also co-sponsored an amendment requiring the Secretary of Defense to review the current Defense Department policies regarding deferment from deployment of female service members following the birth of a child. Current policies differ greatly among the various military services and some, particularly the Army and Air Force, are far too short, according to Nelson. Both amendments were initially approved by the Personnel Subcommittee. "This legislation serves as the cornerstone of our security policy and I am so glad that it effectively authorizes funds for DoD activities both seen and unseen that keep us safe," said Nelson. "At a time of war, it is important that we responsibly dedicate the resources we need to keep America safe and also provide the needed benefits to recruit and retain military personnel." The bill also authorizes $4 million in total for the Crypto-Linguist/Intelligence Officer Initiative, including $750,000 in Operations and Maintenance funding and $3.3M in personnel funding. Some other highlights of this legislation include: A 3.9 percent across board pay raise; .5 percent above the President’s budget request; An increase in the maximum enlistment period from 6 to 8 years; Authorizing the Secretary of Defense to carry out programs to provide training and education to spouses for active duty service members who are pursuing portable careers; Authorizing $30 million for impact aid, $10 million in special assistance to local education agencies, and $5 million in impact aid for children with severe disabilities; Requiring the Secretary of Defense to develop a comprehensive policy designed to prevent suicides by members of the armed forces; Requiring the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Chairmen, Joint Chiefs of Staff and Chief National Guard Bureau, to develop a strategic plan to enhance the role of the National Guard/Reserves; Providing service members separated under the department’s sole survivor son or daughter policy with separation pay, transitional health care and transitional commissary benefits. ###