Dear Friends:

This week the Senate is expected to begin consideration of the FAA Reauthorization Act, H.R. 2881. Last week, the president signed a one-week farm bill extension, which expires this Friday, May 2. Also last week, the Senate passed the Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act, S. 1315, as well as the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, H.R. 493.

I hope you will take a moment to review several highlights from my work over the last several weeks. 

Additional Manpower for Southwest Border
 

I am pleased that last week the U.S. Department of Justice announced that the agency will hire 64 additional federal prosecutors and 35 additional support staff for the southwestern border. This additional manpower and support for those who are on the front lines of combating illegal immigration is greatly needed. Taking immediate action to secure the borders of this country is essential, because that is where the problem of illegal immigration begins and where it must be stopped. As members of the Senate Border Security and Enforcement First Caucus, Senator Isakson and I will continue working to ensure that border security remains a top priority. 

Urging Efficiency at Airport Security Checkpoints

Last week I joined Senator Isakson and other members of Georgia’s congressional delegation in urging the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to work with Atlanta airport officials to improve efficiency at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport security checkpoints. We are fast approaching the busiest time of the year with respect to air travel, and it’s critically important that TSA is fully prepared to handle the large numbers of passengers that will be passing through the checkpoints in an efficient manner, without compromising security.

To read our letter to the TSA Administrator, click here. 

Expanding Guard and Reserve Retirement Benefits

On April 9^th, I introduced legislation to benefit members of the National Guard and Reserve by amending current law to include any duty performed after September 11, 2001 as service qualifying for reducing the age at which retired pay can be received. Currently, National Guard and Reserve members are the only federal retirees who must wait until age 60 to collect retirement pay.

The bill, the “National Guard and Reserve Retired Pay Equity Act of 2008,” builds upon legislation I spearheaded in the Senate which was accepted as part of the 2008 National Defense Authorization Act. That legislation, which was signed into law in January 2008, reduced the age for receipt of retirement pay by three months (counting down from age 60) for every 90 days a Guard or Reserve member spends on active duty in support of a contingency operation, or on active service for purposes of responding to a national emergency declared by the president or supported by federal funds. However, the provision in that Act only counted service performed after the date the bill was enacted and was not retroactive to September 11, 2001.

The way we rely on our National Guard and Reserve has fundamentally changed since September 11, 2001, and they should be rewarded for the tremendous sacrifices they have made.

To read the story in the Army Times [a non-Senate website], click here.

Senator Chambliss is joined by Jason Hubbard at a news conference announcing “Sole Survivor” Legislation.

Legislation to Ensure Benefits for "Sole Survivors"

At a news conference on Capitol Hill last week, I joined several of my Senate and House colleagues in announcing plans to introduce legislation that would ensure that “sole survivors” who leave military service after losing their siblings in war receive full separation benefits. Our legislation is named for Jason Hubbard, an Army veteran from California who lost his two brothers in Iraq. Jason traveled to Washington, DC to join us in advocating for this legislation. He is one of 51 sole survivors identified since the September 11, 2001, terrorists attacks, including three from Georgia, according to the U.S. Department of Defense.

Under the Department of Defense’s “sole survivor” policy, service members who lose all their siblings in war are not allowed to return to a combat environment. However, recent experience with the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the Hubbard brothers’ story in particular, demonstrates that the policy is flawed. Our legislation, named “The Hubbard Act,” is greatly needed in order to ensure that sole survivors are not penalized when they separate from the military and that the benefits and pay to which they are entitled are consistent with personnel who are involuntarily separated under honorable conditions.

To watch the news conference, click here.

To read the story on WTVM Newsleader 9’s website [a non-Senate website], click here.

Rural Policing Institute

Last week, I joined a number of my colleagues in sending a letter urging members of the Senate Appropriations Committee to provide $5 million in funding for the Rural Policing Institute. Rural law enforcement agencies like those in Georgia often face a difficult challenge in receiving up-to-date training, with tight budgets and small staffs frequently forced to make a choice between training opportunities and keeping officers on the street. Last year, Senator Isakson and I co-sponsored legislation to create a special, rural-focused law enforcement training initiative that would be administered by the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC), located in Glynco, Ga. 

Health Care Equity Act

Last week, I cosponsored legislation called the “Health Care Equity Act,” which would allow Americans who purchase health insurance to deduct their health insurance premiums from their income taxes. The plan would also allow Americans with Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) to make tax-free withdrawals to pay plan premiums. The legislation provides individuals purchasing health insurance on their own with the same tax benefits as those who receive employer-sponsored coverage. Furthermore, individuals will be able to keep their coverage between jobs without having to change health plans and doctors. 

Georgia Post Office Buildings to be Named for Fallen Soldiers

On Wednesday, the Senate approved legislation to rename several U.S. Post Office buildings located in Lithonia, Lula, and Cleveland, Georgia in honor of fallen soldiers. Each of the men for whom these facilities will be named was and will remain a true hero, and I believe this is a special way to honor their sacrifice for freedom and democracy. To read the story in the Gainesville Times [a non-Senate website], click here.

WATCH THE SENATE FLOOR! I have added a feature to my Senate website which allows you to watch the U.S. Senate via C-SPAN. This feature can be found at the bottom of my homepage under “More Senate Information.” Check it out! www.chambliss.senate.gov  

Thank you for staying in touch with me on the issues concerning you and your family. Should you ever need assistance please do not hesitate to contact my office toll free at 1-800-234-4208.