Rosen Helps Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Consolidate National Guard and Reserve Component Duty Statuses, Improve Readiness, Standardize Pay, Secure Veteran Benefits

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) joined Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS) in introducing the bipartisan Duty Status Reform Act to make comprehensive reforms to the National Guard and Reserve Component by streamlining the duty status framework, reducing the amount of duty statuses from 30 to four. This bipartisan bill would help standardize pay and benefits for members of the National Guard and the Reserve, clarify and simplify antiquated administrative systems, and improve consistency in veterans' benefits eligibility for Guard and Reserve members by reducing disparities resulting from differing duty statuses.

"Duty Status Reform is a necessary overhaul to antiquated administrative systems that have negatively impacted our Reserve and National Guard servicemembers' quality of life and readiness," said Senator Rosen. "That's why I'm proud to help introduce this bipartisan bill to cut through the red tape by simplifying the duty status structure from nearly 30 statuses down to four so the reserve component will receive timely and equitable pay and benefits without preventable delays or disruption. This legislation ensures the reserve component receives fair and equitable treatment when answering the call to service at a moment's notice."

"The men and women of the National Guard in Kansas and across the country play a critical role in serving our communities and defending our nation," said Senator Moran. "As the Guard's mission has evolved, the duty status system has become increasingly complex. This legislation will simplify the structure and strengthen the Guard's ability to carry out its missions by standardizing pay and benefits, bolstering readiness and better supporting those who serve."

As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator Rosen has made it one of her priorities to eliminate bureaucratic hurdles for our military and ensure that servicemembers and veterans have all the resources and care they have earned. This year, Senator Rosen introduced the bipartisan Sergeant Dave Crete FORGOTTEN Veterans Act, which would require the Department of Defense to join the Department of Energy in identifying all servicemembers and veterans who worked at locations where radiation and toxic exposure occurred, allowing such veterans to better access VA healthcare and benefits. Last year, she also introduced bipartisan legislation that would allow medical providers to more easily practice for both the DoD and the VA - addressing the medical shortage and ensuring care for veterans and servicemembers.

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