U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-5th District, held a press conference Monday at H&R Block in Emerson to announce actions toward lowering taxes for families and small businesses here in New Jersey. Local officials, residents and stakeholders joined Gottheimer. “Families across the state and country are rooting for a refund this Tax Day. But, for far too many Jersey families and small businesses, hefty... Read More »
A bipartisan House Armed Services Committee panel issued a report Thursday containing 31 recommendations to improve the lives of military families, with a view to strengthening America’s fighting forces. The Quality of Life Panel’s proposals seek to address what its members consider to be five key problem areas for military personnel: pay, child care, housing, health care and spousal support. The ... Read More »
Congress is considering an important bill not only to stop malicious cruelty, but to make our communities safer. The FIGHT Act, S. 1529, by Senator John Kennedy, R-La., and H.R. 2742, by Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., would bolster federal enforcement efforts to crack down on the scourges of illegal dogfighting and cockfighting. https://wausaupilotandreview.com/2024/04/16/your-letters-writer-calls-for-cr... Read More »
A coalition of more than 140 bipartisan members of the House of Representatives have signed a resolution that condemns the brutality of Iran’s regime, and its attack on Israel as of Tuesday. Iran launched more than 30 missiles and airstrikes against Israel on Saturday, 99% of which were intercepted according to Fox News, after it claimed Israel attacked and killed seven of its forces in Syria. htt... Read More »
House panel wants pay raises for troops amid recruiting crisis U.S. service members and their families could get a pay raise and other benefits, after a bipartisan panel made recommendations toward improving the quality of life for members of the military. Committee Chairman Don Bacon (R-NE) and ranking member Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) join CNN's John Berman to discuss. https://www.cnn.com/vide... Read More »
House panel vows massive boost to enlisted military pay amid recruiting crisis Enlisted troops could see an unprecedented bump to their base pay in the coming years under a plan Congress unveiled Thursday that could help recruiting and retention. The plan is the result of more than a year of study and back-and-forth with military leaders and advocates to get to the root of pervasive quality of lif... Read More »
Congressional panel makes push for better military pay, healthcare, housing A congressional panel tasked with reviewing quality of life for United States service members released a report Thursday making an array of recommendations to improve pay, child care, housing, access to medical care and spouse support. https://thehill.com/policy/defense/4590115-congressional-panel-makes-push-for-better-mil... Read More »
‘A game-changer’: House panel outlines quality-of-life improvements for troops for 2025 defense bill Read more at: https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2024-04-12/house-lawmakers-ndaa-military-pay-child-care-barracks-13539152.html A 15% pay raise for junior enlisted service members. No more referrals for physical therapy, optometry, women’s health and other specialties. A basic allowance for housin... Read More »
Nebraska Rep. Bacon's House panel seeks 15% military enlisted pay boost, higher housing allowance A congressional panel led by Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., is seeking sweeping quality-of-life improvements for military service members and their families, including bigger housing allowances, beefed-up child care and a 15% pay raise for junior enlisted troops. https://omaha.com/news/nation-world/governmen... Read More »
Quality of Life Panel Report Includes Several Key MOAA Advocacy Priorities MOAA’s fight to restore a 100% housing allowance for military families received a significant boost April 11, with a new, bipartisan House panel championing the cause as part of its recommendations for the FY 2025 National Defense Authorization Act. https://www.moaa.org/content/publications-and-media/news-articles/2024-news... Read More »
Air Force Vice Chief: Base Infrastructure on ‘Hospice Care,’ but Privatization Can Help "The military had underfunded dorms for a decade, but Congress was under the impression they were fully funded," Bacon said. https://www.airandspaceforces.com/air-force-slife-base-infrastructure/ Read More »
Neb. 2nd District Rep. Don Bacon joined Mn. Rep. Tom Emmer along with 52 House Republican colleagues in cosponsoring the Firearm Due Process Protection Act. This legislation will provide law-abiding Americans their second amendment protection from being improperly denied purchasing a firearm. “All law-abiding American should have access to purchasing a firearm and know that their background checks... Read More »
At Hillcrest Health Services around 100 vets and military spouses were honored for their service. "I think we do a great job of that now. Back in the 60s and 70s, we didn't do a great job of that. And so, it's really made up for some of that the lack of recognition that we've done in the past," Hillcrest CEO Dr. Tony Hatcher said. Offutt Air Force Base's honor guard performed the presentation and ... Read More »
For over a month, House Speaker Mike Johnson has sat on a funding package that would send desperately needed ammunition and weaponry to Ukraine, mulling how best to gain a grasp of what is expected to be a difficult lift in the House. The Republican speaker has indicated he will attempt to push for approval of tens of billions in wartime funding for Ukraine, as well as Israel, once the House retur... Read More »
When Republicans took control of the House last year with almost the thinnest of majorities, all eyes turned to the House Freedom Caucus. The loose group of 30-some ultraconservative lawmakers outnumbered the narrow vote margin for Republicans and, as a result, were granted new outsized leverage over leadership to cater to their whims. From the start, it appeared the Freedom Caucus and its like-mi... Read More »
