Raising pressure on the Administration’s proposed Tricare fee increases for military retirees under age 65, there is now a Senate version of legislation that would place limits on how much the Administration can boost fees. Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.), a World War II veteran, and Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.), a Vietnam War veteran, joined forces to sponsor the Military Retirees’ Health Care Protection Act. Similar legislation was introduced in the House last month.
The U.S. supports “a stronger and more capable” European defense, Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III said during an Oct. 22 press conference in Brussels—but that defense should not duplicate the functions and capabilities of the NATO alliance.