DoD Authorization Bill Also Pending

During the lame duck session Congress also likely will try once again to break a deadlock on the fiscal 2003 Defense Department authorization bill (S-2514 and HR-4546). The main issue involves proposals in both versions to allow disabled veterans to collect both military retirement pay and veterans benefits, a provision the administration denounces as too expensive. One approach might be to break out that provision into a separate bill and then pass the authorization bill without that language. Both versions of the authorization bill would increase the number of DoD positions exempt from contracting-out, make “nonappropriated fund” employees eligible to join to Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program, extend the agency’s buyout authority through 2006, and set common rules for both white-collar and blue-collar employees for payment of hazardous duty differential pay for exposure to asbestos.