In this pivotal year for our nation’s servicemembers and veterans, MOAA remains at the forefront in the fight for key legislative changes. Our spring campaign event, Advocacy in Action, saw hundreds of supporters from across the nation gather on Capitol Hill to spotlight critical issues affecting the uniformed services and veteran communities.

MOAA is grateful to those who have engaged in our advocacy efforts through MOAA’s Legislative Action Center. To sustain this momentum, we are urging you and our more than 360,000 members to connect with your elected officials during the congressional summer recess. Legislators will be in their home states for the next month, providing a unique opportunity for personal outreach.

[TAKE ACTION: Contact Your Lawmakers Today]

Key MOAA advocacy priorities for our Advocacy in Action Summer Campaign:

Junior Enlisted Pay Raise

Competitive pay remains critical to the health of the all-volunteer force, and both the House and the Senate seek to address this issue in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

The House NDAA calls for servicemembers E-1 to E-4 to receive a 15% pay raise beyond the 4.5% earmarked for all in uniform, while the Senate version calls for an additional 1% increase for servicemembers E-1 to E-3 (beyond the 4.5% raise).

Restoring the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH)

Access to quality housing and promoting financial wellness are important to sustaining the all-volunteer force. Restoring BAH addresses both issues.

The House version of the NDAA would restore BAH to 100% for FY 2025 – a move toward MOAA’s goal of full repeal of the BAH reduction, but not a permanent fix. Unfortunately, the Senate version does not address the issue.

Concurrent Receipt

Tens of thousands of combat-injured veterans lose a dollar of earned DoD retirement pay for every dollar of VA disability compensation. For three years in a row, over two-thirds of Congress has supported the Major Richard Star Act, which would end that unjust financial offset.

Despite this vast support, neither version of the NDAA includes the bill. However, it is critical lawmakers continue to hear about this important issue, especially as we approach the start of the 119th Congress.  

Stay Informed

Keep up with the latest on these issues and others through The MOAA Newsletter, by following MOAA on social media (Facebook | X | Instagram), and by watching our weekly Advocacy Update on MOAA’s YouTube channel.

Your participation amplifies our collective voice in shaping policies that support our nation’s servicemembers past and present, and their families. Thank you for your continued dedication to MOAA’s mission.

[TAKE ACTION: Contact Your Lawmakers Today]