Senate Debates NDAA

The Senate has begun deliberations—but apparently won’t finish them until sometime in the fall–on its version of the fiscal 2006 National Defense Authorization Act, with an agreement at the outset upon two key amendments. First is an extension of the increase in the military death gratuity from $12,400 to $100,000 to all service members who die while on active duty. Second is expansion of Tricare eligibility to members of the Guard and Reserve. A vote to limit debate would threaten blockage of expected amendments that would end the offset of Dependency and Indemnity Compensation by Survivor Benefit Plan payments, accelerate the effective date of 30-year paid-up SBP from Oct. 1, 2008, to Oct. 1, 2005; and institute immediate concurrent receipt for disabled retirees rated as Individually Unemployable by the Department of Veterans Affairs. After the Senate completes action, the legislation will go to a joint House-Senate conference.