Donna Christensen on Homeland Security Delegate to US House (VI-AL)

Extend reserve retirement pay parity back to 9/11.

Congress makes the following findings:
1. Since September 11, 2001, members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces have been sent into harm's way and fought alongside members of the regular components of the Armed Forces.
2. Between September 11, 2001, and December 7, 2007, more than 600,000 members of the reserve components have been mobilized in support of military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and for other contingency operations.
3. More than 142,000 members of the reserve components have been mobilized more than once during this same period.
4. On December 7, 2007, the conference report for H. R. 1585 offered an earlier retirement benefit for members of the reserve components who are mobilized in support of contingency operations.
5. The House of Representatives and the Senate agreed to the conference report on December 14, 2007.
6. However, the conference report only considers service performed after the date of the enactment, and this effective date fails to recognize the service and sacrifice made by members of the reserve components since September 11, 2001.

Repeal Don't-Ask-Don't-Tell, and reinstate discharged gays.

Repeals current Department of Defense policy [popularly known as "Don't-Ask-Don't-Tell"] concerning homosexuality in the Armed Forces. Prohibits the Secretary of Defense, and the Secretary of Homeland Security with respect to the Coast Guard, from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation against any member of the Armed Forces or any person seeking to become a member. Authorizes the re-accession into the Armed Forces of otherwise qualified individuals previously separated for homosexuality, bisexuality, or homosexual conduct.

Nothing in this Act shall be construed to require the furnishing of dependent benefits in violation of section 7 of title 1, United States Code (relating to the definitions of 'marriage' and 'spouse' and referred to as the 'Defense of Marriage Act').

Sponsored defunding nuclear-armed aircraft and nuclear R&D or testing.

Congressional Summary:Smarter Approach to Nuclear Expenditures Act: Prohibits using funds in 2014 or thereafter:

1. to arm a B-2 or B-52 aircraft with a nuclear weapon;
2. for the research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) or procurement of a long-range penetrating bomber aircraft;
3. to make the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft capable of carrying nuclear weapons; or
4. for the B61 or W78 life extension program.

• Requires that, beginning in FY2014, the Navy shall include no more than eight operational ballistic-missile submarines available for deployment.
• Prohibits using DOD funds for FY2014 or thereafter to maintain more than 200 intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), and 250 submarine-launched ballistic missiles
• Prohibits funding RDT&E or procurement of a new ICBM or for the medium extended air defense system.

Opponent's argument against bill: (Twitchy blog, "Who said what?", twitchy.com): North Korea has evidently been conducting nuclear device tests, and the timing couldn't be better, of course, as President Obama is expected to call for a reduction in nuclear arms tonight in his State of the Union address. Mass. Rep. Ed Markey is totall

Recognize women veterans; assist military families.

The teams of the Women’s Caucus are charged with advancing action on their designated issues in a bipartisan manner. Legislation from Team 8: WOMEN IN THE MILITARY/WOMEN VETERANS:
• HR1847—Military Dependents Communications Confidentiality Act—prescribe regulations to protect the confidentiality of communications between dependents of members of the Armed Forces and professionals providing therapeutic or related services regarding sexual or domestic abuse. (Maloney/Kelly) [STATUS: enacted as part of the FY2000 Defense Authorization bill]
• H.Res. 41—Honoring American Military Women For Their Service in World War II—A resolution to honor the women who served the United States in military capacities during World War II and recognizing that these women contributed vitally to the victory of the United States and the Allies in the war. (Myrick)