Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has introduced legislation that would protect combat veterans who are so disabled they are forced out of the service early, losing full retirement benefits. Most of these veterans had planned to make the military a career, says Reid. His Combat-Related Special Compensation Act of 2006 (S. 2385) would give “eligible combat-related disabled” who is “retired” with fewer than 20 years of service under Chapter 61 a pro-rated retirement benefit.
Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III outlined Dec. 4 the vital importance of U.S. defense investment keeping pace with that of China before issuing a statement warning that such competition would suffer “irreparable” damage if Congress opts for a yearlong continuing resolution, a real possibility being discussed by lawmakers after…