House Abstains from Key NDAA Benefits

The House and Senate have passed their versions of the fiscal 2007 Defense Authorization Act, and joint conferees will resolve the differences after the Congress’ July 4 recess. The two versions are currently lopsided. The Senate would provide combat-related special compensation to service members who were medically retired before reaching 20 years of service because of combat wounds. The House version ignores the issue. The Senate would cancel the offset of military retired pay of retirees drawing compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs due to having been declared “unemployable” by the VA. The House yawned. The Senate would accelerate 30-year paid-up Survivor Benefit Plan premiums to Oct. 1, 2006, instead of 2008. The House showed no interest. The Senate would eliminate the offset of Dependency and Indemnity Compensation from SBP. The House version doesn’t mention it.