MOAA Responds to State of Emergency Declaration, National Funding Bill

MOAA Responds to State of Emergency Declaration, National Funding Bill
WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 15: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks on border security during a Rose Garden event at the White House February 15, 2019 in Washington, DC. President Trump is expected to declare a national emergency to free up federal funding to build a wall along the southern border. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

By MOAA Staff

For 90 years, MOAA has ensured our Congress and the administration support our men and women currently in uniform, retirees, survivors, and their families. MOAA's goals and efforts continue to focus on issues affecting our uniformed services. We hold as one of our priorities the need to secure appropriations to fund basic pay and allowances for all of our uniformed servicemembers. Today we achieved this for Coast Guard, United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps members with the signing of the $328 billion spending bill. MOAA is thankful for the efforts of Congress and the president for keeping this a priority.

The declaration of a national emergency on the southern border likely means shifting several pools of funds to obtain $8 billion to secure the border. The largest of the funds cited to be tapped are Department of Defense construction funds ($3.6 billion) and drug prevention programs ($2.5 billion).

MOAA sees an emerging concern to ensure appropriations remain aligned to support our servicemembers and their families. This includes, but is not limited to, addressing military housing concerns per recent Senate hearings, military pay and benefits, health care, and the requirements of the FY 2019 National Defense Authorization Act. We are connecting with legislators to learn more about specifics and ways we can resolve any issues, should they arise, on these priorities.

 

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