Weekly Column 9-27-2010

Statement

An Update from Washington- Guardian of Small Business, Stop Loss Pay Deadline Approaching

Last week, the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) honored me with its "Guardian Award" for my support of small business. To receive the award, a Member of Congress must side with small business on at least 70% of the votes scored by the NFIB. I was one of only 28 Members of the House to receive a perfect 100% score. Scored votes included the Credit Cardholders' Bill of Rights, both health care bills, cap and trade, and repealing the 1099 reporting requirement for small businesses included in the health care law.

According to its website, the NFIB is the nation's leading small business association, with offices in Washington, D.C. and all 50 state capitals. Founded in 1943 as a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, NFIB gives small and independent business owners a voice in shaping the public policy issues that affect their business. NFIB's network of grassroots activists send their views directly to state and federal lawmakers through their unique member-only ballot, thus playing a critical role in supporting America's free enterprise system.

I am deeply honored to receive the Guardian Award from the NFIB. The award is a reflection of my hard work on behalf of the small businesses that create up to 80% of American jobs. Our economy will never fully recover unless we make it easier for small businesses to hire more workers. We can do that by giving them regulatory certainty and relieving their tax burden. I look forward to working with NFIB and its members to support our small businesses.

Stop Loss Pay deadline soon approaching

Soldiers whose service was involuntarily extended in Iraq and Afghanistan have until October 21, 2010 to apply for retroactive stop loss pay. Service members eligible for retroactive pay will receive $500 a month for each month their service was extended. Eligible soldiers must proactively apply for stop loss pay; they will not receive the benefit automatically.

In 2009, I voted for H.R. 2346, the War Supplemental Appropriations Act, which established retroactive stop loss special pay (RSLSP). RSLSP allows service members whose service was involuntarily extended between September 11, 2001 and September 30, 2009 to file claims in order to receive retroactive pay if eligible.

Establishing stop loss pay was a major accomplishment and now we must ensure that eligible soldiers access the benefits to which they are entitled. I encourage any soldier who had his or her service involuntarily extended to apply for these payments. These brave men and women have made sacrifices to defend our freedoms; the least we can do is make sure they are taken care of when they return home.

For more information or to submit a claim please visit www.defense.gov/stoploss.

As always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call our offices in Montgomery at (334) 277-9113, Dothan at (334) 794-9680, Opp at (334) 493-9253, or Ozark at (334) 445-4600. You can also visit the website at www.bright.house.gov to sign up for the e-newsletter. It is my great pleasure to serve you and the entire Second District of Alabama.

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