Record

JON’S LEGISLATIVE ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Advocating For Our Nation’s Veterans: The House approves Runyan legislation to provide a cost of living adjustment increase for veterans.

Jon introduced the Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2011 (H.R. 1407), to provide veterans’ a Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for their disability benefits. The bill passed the House of Representatives by voice vote. This legislation is the first piece of legislation of which Jon is the chief sponsor to be passed by Congress.

“I’ve had the opportunity to speak to veterans throughout the District and among the most mentioned concerns is the COLA issue. I’m pleased and honored that as a first-time Member, I was able to introduce and secure final passage of legislation that can help our nation’s veterans,” said Runyan. “This bi-partisan bill is a crucial part of ensuring benefits for disabled veterans and their families are sufficient to meet their needs. It increases the amount provided for disabled veterans compensation, veterans’ clothing allowance, and dependency and indemnity compensation for veterans’ survivors by the amount of the social security cost of living adjustment.”

Preventing Suicide Among U.S. Veterans: The House approves Runyan amendment to help prevent suicide among veterans.

Jon partnered with fellow New Jersey Congressman Rush Holt to set aside funds for suicide prevention outreach among America’s veterans. Suicide among GIs has become increasingly prevalent, with an average of 18 veterans a day committing suicide. The amendment expands an existing program within the VA to provide direct advertising and social media outreach related to a range of suicide prevention efforts, including the VA’s suicide prevention hotline.

“It is important to provide mental health resources to our men and women in uniform, both during and after their service,” Runyan said. “These funds will provide critical outreach to our veterans that will help them avail themselves of these important resources. We can only help our veterans if they are aware of the services available, and these funds seek to increase awareness through outreach.”

Preserving the Integrity of Arlington National Cemetery: The House approves Runyan legislation to end “reserved gravesites for VIPs at Arlington National Cemetery.

Jon introduced legislation to end an unofficial system of “reserved” gravesites for VIPs at Arlington National Cemetery. The legislation would ensure that gravesites are provided to any qualified military veteran regardless of rank or status.

The bill was merged into HR 1627 which passed the House of Representatives unanimously.

“We must honor America’s veterans at all levels and no one military service member or veteran should be placed above another. These provisions ensure that our nation’s most revered cemetery will remain open to all eligible veterans- regardless of rank or position –while maintaining its current pristine and peaceful setting for the interment of our fallen service members. HR 1627 will provide valuable tools to further aid in stewardship of some of the nation’s most sacred ground.”

Standing Up for Servicemembers: The House approves Runyan amendment to exempt soldiers who travel back and forth from theatre of operations from having to pay excess airline baggage fees.

Jon authored an amendment to the 2012 Defense Appropriations bill (H.R. 2219) to exempt soldiers returning from the field from having to pay excessive commercial baggage fees. The amendment garnered the support of the full House of Representatives and passed by voice vote.

“When I learned that soldiers returning from deployment were forced to pay for bags they were under orders to carry on a commercial airline, I was outraged,” said Runyan. “We owe it to our brave soldiers that when we deploy them and their necessary equipment, they should not worry about what it will cost to ship it. I appreciate the House’s support to clear any ambiguity and ensure this will never occur again.”

Jon offered the amendment to the 2012 Defense Appropriations bill after news broke about 36 reservists returning from Afghanistan paid more than $2,800 in out-of-pocket baggage expenses because they carried a fourth bag.

Fighting for a More Efficient VA for Taxpayers and Veteran Heroes: The House approves Runyan legislation that seeks to make the process for processing claims and pension benefits for Veterans more efficient.

Jon introduced the Veterans Benefits Act of 2011 (H.R. 2349) to establish a pilot within the VA to more effectively train VA employees who process veterans’ claims and pension benefits in order to increase the efficiency and quality of the process. Massive inefficiencies in the current process have resulted in a backlog of veterans’ claims that are a disgrace to both veterans and taxpayers. The legislation passed the House with bipartisan support.

“This legislation is an important step towards easing the process that our veterans face when they deal with the benefit and claims process. Our veterans have sacrificed so much and any way that we can make their interaction with the VA easier should be a top priority of Congress.”

Fighting for Competition in Defense Contracting: The House approves Runyan amendment aimed at increasing competition in the DOD wartime contracting process.

Jon offered an amendment to the 2012 Defense Appropriations bill that requires the Department of Defense to establish goals for competition in contracting as it relates to contingency operations overseas. That measure helps ensure that American tax dollars will be spent more efficiently

“Through the great efforts of our soldiers in the field, contingency operations in several overseas areas have become more secure,” said Runyan. “My amendment implements one of the many proposals of the eight-member CWC, which recommended that as contingency operations stabilize, the Department of Defense should shift approaches regarding how contracts are awarded. This amendment establishes transparency and goals for competition in contracts, offering taxpayers the best value for their money.”

“Competition is key to ensuring that we get our warfighters what they need through a fair and open contracting process,” said Runyan. “This amendment enables that American tax dollars will be spent more fairly and efficiently.”

Standing up for the Workers at Joint Base McGuire Dix Lakehurst: The House passes Runyan provision to establish pay parity standards for workers at JBMDL.

Jon authored language in the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act to help address pay disparity standards impacting DoD wage grade employees at all military installations including Joint Base McGuire Dix Lakehurst.

Before the 2005 Base Realignment and Consolidation (BRAC) decision, the current JB MDL operated as three separate bases, with then Fort Dix and McGuire Air Force Base on one locality pay and Lakehurst on another. This created an unfair system where workers essentially operating out of the same base are being paid different wages. Jon’s language seeks to correct the wage grade pay discrepancies that have occurred since the installations were made into one joint base. An estimated 600 employees at JB MDL could be affected.