Senator Brown Introduces Bill To End Housing Policy That Shortchanges MA Guardsmen

Press Release

U.S. Senator Scott Brown (R-MA), a 32-year member of the Army National Guard, introduced the National Guard Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) Equity Act [S. 1579], which would reverse a U.S. Department of Defense policy that unfairly reduces the BAH rate for full-time Guardsmen when they are activated in support of Title 10 missions. Senator Brown issued the following statement on the bill:

"During my recent training in Afghanistan, I learned of a change in the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rate that has caused financial difficulty for many Guardsmen and their families. Right now, there are 40 Massachusetts Guardsmen who are losing nearly $1,000 per month as a result of a bureaucratic Defense Department policy that inadvertently penalizes them for being deployed overseas. When these Bay Staters were called on to fight for their country, no one told them a pay and benefit cut would be part of the job. Not only is this bill a measure of fairness; it's a matter of honor. Our Guardsmen have answered the call to serve, and now it's our duty as a nation to keep our commitments to them."

Background
The National Guard Basic Allowance for Housing Equity Act [S. 1579]: A bill to amend title 37, United States Code, to provide that the basic allowance for housing in effect for a member of the National Guard is not reduced when the member transitions between active duty and full-time National Guard duty without a break in active service.

Basic Allowance of Housing (BAH) is a benefit paid to members of the military to help offset the cost of local housing markets. When a service member deploys, for example, BAH is necessary to help offset the cost of a mortgage or rent in a particular geographic area.

The National Guard Basic Allowance for Housing Equity Act would provide members of the National Guard with the appropriate Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) or Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA) when transitioning between Active Duty and Full Time National Guard duty without a break in service.

Currently, a National Guardsman who is mobilized is paid the BAH or OHA based on their home of record and not their permanent duty assignment station. This has drastically reduced the amount of BAH or OHA that a Guardsman is entitled to when he or she deploys.

In February 2011, the Defense Travel Management Office in the Department of Defense changed the policy mid-stream which had the effect of preventing full-time Guardsmen from drawing their BAH based on their permanent duty station while being mobilized overseas. Under the new policy, for example, a full-time Guardsman whose permanent duty station is Boston, but whose permanent residence is in Lowell, MA, will draw a lower BAH rate when he is mobilized. The new policy negatively affects over 800 full-time Guardsmen. As a result, 40 Guardsmen from the 26th Yankee Brigade, MA--all currently mobilized in support of overseas operations in Afghanistan--are losing between $900 and $1,000 a month.

Earlier this year, the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States (EANGUS) passed a resolution of support to correct the BAH difference.

Related legislation introduced by Senator Brown
Arlington National Cemetery - Senator Brown introduced legislation (S. 3860) with Senator Claire McCaskill of Missouri to help prevent future cases of the egregious mismanagement at Arlington National Cemetery. This legislation was passed by the Senate and signed into law by the President. This legislation will provide the appropriate Congressional oversight to make certain that those responsible for managing the cemetery are being held accountable and meeting the highest standards when it comes to ensuring the proper burials of America's fallen heroes.

Homeless Veterans Support Act, which encourages the Veterans Administration to partner with local communities to tackle the unique challenges of homelessness among veterans. (Introduced).

Hiring Heroes Act of 2011, which is aimed at improving job training for members of the military as they transition to civilian life. (Introduced).

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