House Adds Benefits

In addition to approving measures proposed by the House Armed Services Committee for the 2008 Defense bill, (previous two items) the House added a lengthy list of amendments. For example, the bill authorizes vouchers for free mail delivery to service members deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan or confined to military hospitals. It also authorizes service members to make Thrift Savings Account deposits twice monthly instead of once a month. And it would give Guard members and Reservists up to 10 years after leaving service to take advantage of the Montgomery GI Bill. The House bill also would prohibit concurrent deployment of military couples to a combat zone if they have minor children. The next step for the authorization bill will be the Senate’s version, which will be followed with final resolution by a conference committee. See next item for roadblocks.