Patty Murray's Washington View

PATTY MURRAY'S WASHINGTON VIEW

U.S. Senator Patty Murray's Weekly Report to the People of Washington - June 18, 2004

Victories for Our Guard and Reserve Families

This week, we scored another victory in my efforts to provide help to National Guard and Reserve members and their families. On Thursday, the Senate agreed to my amendment to provide child care assistance to activated soldiers.
My amendment directs the Secretary of Defense to make child care services available to activated soldiers and their families who do not live near major military installations. This amendment ensures that if non-working spouses suddenly find themselves in need of a job to help pay the bills, they'll get some help with child care costs. This will help give some peace of mind to families facing activations, deployments, and incredible hardships on behalf of our nation.

My amendment, which was supported by the Department of Defense, also applies to full-time soldiers, sailors, airmen and women and their families who don't live near a military installation. It was my latest effort to pass the provisions included in my Guard and Reserve Enhanced Benefits Act (S.2068), a bill I wrote after meeting with the soldiers and families of the Washington National Guard's 81st Brigade in January. To date, the Senate has passed several pieces of my bill, including:

TRICARE - Passed the Senate

Ensures full-time medical coverage for Guard and Reserve members and their families by giving them permanent access to TRICARE.

Reimbursement for Gear - Passed the Senate

Directs the Secretary of Defense to reimburse soldiers who had to buy body armor or other equipment because the Pentagon failed to provide it in a timely way.

Tax Credits for Employers - Passed the Senate

Provides a tax credit to employers continuing to pay activated Guard and Reserve employees.

Child Care - Passed the Senate

Directs the Secretary of Defense to make child care services available to activated soldiers and their families who do not live near a major military installation.

To Make These Gains Law

In order for these Senate victories to become law:

•the Senate must pass the Senate Defense Bill,

•the House of Representatives must not remove these protections during the House-Senate Conference,

•and the President must sign the Defense bill into law.

We need to keep the pressure on politicians in Washington, D.C. so that our Guard and Reserve families can get the support I've secured in the Senate bill.

Read - and watch video of - my floor speech: