LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

FEDERAL BUDGET UPDATE – (17 November 2015 – By: Greg Lankler – Mercury)

With passage of the Bi-partisan Budget Act (BBA) the first week in November, which included an increase in the debt limit as well as $25 billion in relief from budget caps for Defense and Non-Defense Discretionary spending, progress is being made to complete work and roll all 12 of the appropriations bills that fund the federal government into an FY16 Omnibus Appropriations Bill before the current continuing resolution (CR) expires on December 11^th. While it’s possible that a one-week extension of the CR may be needed to complete passage of an Omnibus through both the House and Senate, dollars are not the problem anymore. It’s all the extraneous policy issues that folks want to tack on to the Omnibus, known as “riders”, that will be the obstacle to final passage and enactment.

The latest issue – Syrian refugees and ways to clamp down on admitting them into the United States. The growing Republican opposition to admitting refugees in the wake of Friday’s Islamic State attacks in Paris could create one of the biggest fissures in the ongoing bipartisan talks over the Omnibus, particularly if the President remains committed to carrying out his administration’s plan to increase to 10,000 the number of Syrian refugees that are admitted in fiscal 2016.

The Chairs of both the House and Senate Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittees have expressed concerns about bringing in the refugees and indicated they are not inclined to increase funding for the effort. Prior to the Friday night attacks, the two Chairs, Rep. Kay Granger and Sen. Lindsay Graham, had supported increased funding for the relocation efforts. If the Omnibus includes a provision prohibiting funding for admitting and relocating refugees a possible veto showdown could ensue. And with it the possibility of shutdown politics returns.

Also, the issue of funding for Planned Parenthood, which weeks ago looked like it could single-handedly be the cause for a government shutdown, is being mentioned as a possible omnibus rider again. It was thought the issue could be dealt with by having a funding prohibition handled via a legislative measure other than the Omnibus. However, that strategy is beginning to show signs of strain, and if it does, the question becomes where is the issue of Planned Parenthood funding addressed?

All this is to say that it’s a typical end-game situation for appropriations. The Appropriations Committees will get agreements on the dollar figures for federal programs, and it will be left to the House and Senate Leadership and the White House to negotiate, and play politics, on the riders. Is there still a small possibility we could end up with a government shutdown in December? Yes. But the likelihood went from a near certainty prior to Speaker Boehner’s announcement to retire in early October and the subsequent passage of the BBA and debt limit increase, to more like 20 percent given the potential for one controversial rider or another to become a political sticking point.

SPOTLIGHT EVENT

Tuesday, 1 December – 5:30 – 8:00 pm – Joint Holiday Party benefiting Southeastern Guide Dogs – (See above for more information)

If you are interested in donating funds please Donate Here or if you have silent auction items for our event this year, please contact Denise Ennis (Ennisd@Pragmatics.com) for more details. Register for the event here

2015 UPCOMING EVENTS – FOR MORE DETAILS ON EVENTS LISTED BELOW VISIT

Visit our weekly newsletters and military events on our website! We will archive past newsletters for your reference and maintain a calendar of events that are listed each week in the newsletters.

The link for the newsletters is: Weekly Military Information, and the direct link to the events calendar is: Events Calendar.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

AIRFEST 2016

The Bay Area Community AirFest team is working behind the scenes to put together an AirFest experience like no other. This includes a world-class airshow featuring National and World Champion performers along with incredible displays of military flight heritage. This year is scheduled to include the Air Force’s premier demonstration team the US Air Force Thunderbirds! These aviation heroes will be testing the limits of physics and gravity while pulling +/- 9 Gs; screaming across the sky. In addition to the spectacular aircraft on display and in the air, the show will also be featuring performances by those talented skydivers who actually think it’s a good idea to jump out of perfectly good airplanes.

It is incredibly fortunate that in these times, MacDill and the Tampa Bay Area are able to get authorization to host AirFest. It is free and open to the public, but it takes community support to make it happen. In today’s era of constricted military spending, MacDill AFB is increasingly challenged to continue to present a world-class AirFest without significant community financial contribution. If you would like to be a contributor, please see the attached opportunities.

Go to www.mymacdill.com and see all the ways to get involved.

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Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce’s Military Appreciation Banquet Award Nominations NOW OPEN: The Military Appreciation Banquet is approaching on February 24, 2016. The highlight of our event are the awards presented to the men and women who serve our community and the nation by volunteering locally and serving in the military. If you know of an outstanding member of the military, encourage them to submit their name as a nominee for the 2016 Military Appreciation Banquet Awards. Nominees will complete their form, then submit it to their unit at MacDill. Each unit will select their own winners. Nominations must be submitted to their command by November 30.

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MacDill Public Service Announcement

What: OYSTER REEF BUILDING EVENTS

When: December 9th, 10th, and 11th (0900 to 1200)

Where: Base Marina Boat Ramp

How: To sign-up please contact jason.kirkpatrick.2.ctr@us.af.mil

Summary: We are continuing construction of our Oyster Reef Shoreline Stabilization and Restoration project and need your help. Reef building events will be held on the dates shown above. This is a great opportunity to get out of the office to experience and help improve the amazing natural resources that surround us here at MacDill AFB. It is also a fantastic team building opportunity for a group or unit. If you would like to participate, or just want more information, please contact Jason Kirkpatrick via e-mail at jason.kirkpatrick.2.ctr@us.af.mil