2006 Authorization Act Still in Limbo

The annual defense authorization act designates who will spend money on what programs, and the appropriations bill uses that authority to set funding amounts. Both pieces of legislation should be completed before the start of the new fiscal year on Oct. 1. The House passed its version of the fiscal 2006 defense authorization act more than four months ago, but at press time the Senate still had not acted. In addition to pay, allowances and medical measures for the troops, other vital proposals remain in limbo. Examples: Commencing Guard and Reserve retirement pay before age 60; authorizing concurrent receipt for retirees rated by the Department of Veterans Affairs as 100 percent unemployable but not 100 percent disabled; ending the deduction of Dependency and Indemnity Compensation payments from Survivor Benefit Plan annuities; and establishing mandatory funding for VA health care.