To modify the Department of Defense Program Guidance …from the
changes to the program guidance that took effect on that date.
Kevin Co
Jamie Lam
Period 3 AP Government
Full Name:
To modify the Department of Defense Program
Guidance relating to the award of PostDeployment/Mobilization Respite Absence
administrative absence days to members of the
reserve components to exempt any member whose
qualified mobilization commenced before October
1, 2011, and continued on or after that date, from
the changes to the program guidance that took
effect on that date
About the bill
• Introduced by John Kline, a veteran of the U.S. Marine
Corps.
• “With little notice, many soldiers and their families were
forced to cope with unexpected financial challenges, less
time at home with loved ones, and an increased urgency
to find employment. This legislation is critical to
ensuring our sons and daughters in uniform receive the
benefits they were promised and rightfully earned.” –
Kline
Why was this bill created?
• The Department of Defense (DOD) decreased the amount of
leave that service members can have through the Post
Deployment/Mobilization Respite Absence (PDMRA)
Program.
• PDMRA Program was seen as
unacceptable. It took away much
of the little time service members
had with their families.
• To help ensure the men and women who have served in the
military get their benefits.
Who does it affect?
• Service members
• The families of those serving
What does the bill do?
• 1. Gives PDMRA days immediately to service members still on active duty
orders who have come back from deployment or who are still deployed, and
give them the option exchanging leave for pay if they want.
• 2. Allowing a cash pay-out beginning October 2012 instead of leave for
service members who have already come back from deployment and off
active duty orders, for not being able to take the PDMRA leave days.
• 3. Allows a cash pay-out beginning October 2012 instead of the PDMRA
leave for those who left the service and are now civilians, but were deployed
and affected during this change.
• Makes sure members of the National Guard Reserve Component who were
mobilized and deployed before the changes made to Department of Defense
guidelines relating to the earning of the PDMRA Program do not receive a
reduction in their earned benefits while in service.
Supporters
• Veterans of Foreign Wars
• National Guard Association of the United States
• Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United
States
• Association of the United States Navy
• Military Officers Association of America (reported
lobbying the bill)
Political party support
• sponsors made up of majority party
• 17 Democrats
• 30 Republicans
Tracking the bill
• 2/15/2012:
Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
• 3/15/2012:
Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
• 5/15/2012 7:12pm:
Mr. Kline moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
• 5/15/2012 7:12pm:
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H26952698)
• 5/15/2012 7:12pm:
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R.
4045.
• 5/15/2012 7:31pm:
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed
to by voice vote. (text: CR H2695-2696)
Tracking the bill
• 5/15/2012 7:31pm:
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
• 5/16/2012:
Received in the Senate, read twice.
• 5/17/2012:
Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
(consideration: CR S3292)
• 5/17/2012:
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
• 5/18/2012:
Presented to President.
• 5/25/2012:
Signed by President.
• 5/25/2012:
Became Public Law No: 112-120.
Were you wondering…
• Does the bill expand the size and scope of the federal
government?
No.
• Does the bill have any new state-government, localgovernment, or private-sector mandates?:
No.
Sources
• http://www.gop.gov/bill/112/2/hr4045
• http://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/billsum.php?id=131627
• http://www.mygov365.com/legislation/view/id/4f3cf4c349e51be063e63f00/tab/overview
/
• http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/thomas
• http://hometownsource.com/2012/05/16/rep-klines-bipartisan-legislation-to-ensurenational-guard-payments-passes-house/
• http://mccollum.house.gov/may-15-2012-congresswoman-mccollums-statement-keepingour-promise-minnesota%E2%80%99s-veterans-hr-4045
• http://www.google.com/imgres?um=1&hl=en&sa=X&biw=1366&bih=678&tbm=isch&tbni
d=0gNFRgOTEECFlM:&imgrefurl=http://www.bluestarfam.org/Policy/Surveys/Survey_2
012&docid=IhkV3zxoo7KpHM&imgurl=http://bluestarfam.s3.amazonaws.com/42/77/a/1
091/Info1_Summary_V1_final.jpg&w=1650&h=1275&ei=TifMT4SmHYLe2AWRsKjaCw&z
oom=1&iact=hc&vpx=194&vpy=158&dur=548&hovh=197&hovw=255&tx=120&ty=175&si
g=100318952307879660229&page=1&tbnh=159&tbnw=206&start=0&ndsp=17&ved=1t:4
29,r:0,s:0,i:72
• http://rsc.jordan.house.gov/UploadedFiles/LB_051512_Suspensions.pdf