The Honorable Gwen Moore
House of Representatives
1239 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515-4904

Re: Democrats Block Republican Effort to Fund Benefits Promised to the Men and Women of America's Armed Forces

Dear Representative Moore:

As you are likely aware, on June 16, the House Armed Services Committee reported the 2010 NDAA (HR 2647) out of committee and denied an amendment offered by Rep. Joe Wilson that would have made (1) improvements to concurrent receipt (CRDP) by providing a 5 year phase in for CRDP payments to include service members who were medically retired with less than 20 years of service (Chapter 61 retirees), (2) eliminated the SBP/DIC offset, and (3) eliminated the requirement for retired Reservists with 20 or more years of service, to reach age 60 in order to be eligible for TRICARE Standard.

I am appalled by what have should been a bi-partisan vote of cooperation that the amendment was denied by a partisan vote. As you will recall, the Chapter 61 issue was included in the President's Budget Request for 2010.

As your voting constituent, I strongly urge you to support or sponsor an amendment similar to Rep. Wilson's to restore these benefits to our disabled retirees, our widows, and to qualified reservists.

The Senate version (S. 1033) of the 2010 NDAA does contain provision for the restoration of concurrent receipt to Chapter 61 retirees as outlined in the President's Budget Request for 2010.

Again, I stress that this should not be a partisan issue.

Thank you for your support and assistance in seeing that our disabled retirees, our widows, and our Reservists receive what is due them.

Respectfully,

Don "Boots" Jensen
Sergeant United States Marine Corps 1973-79

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