To: EANGUS Members
From: EANGUS National Office
Please share the following Roll Call: Drill Weekend Talking Points with other unit members
Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act of 2021 (H.R. 1836)
This bill expands eligibility for Post-9/11 GI Bill educational assistance. Specifically, the bill adjusts the type of service that entitles a member of the Armed Forces, reserves, or National Guard to such assistance. Under the bill, service by a reservist or National Guard member that is entitled to pay counts toward benefit eligibility. Such service includes training, active military service, inactive training, and general duty for which basic pay is warranted.
This legislation has only been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. EANGUS is actively working with Congressional Members in the U.S. Senate to try and get a companion bill introduced
The Justice for Servicemembers Act (H.R. 2196)
EANGUS has long supported the removal of Forced Arbitration from USERRA. The Justice for Servicemembers Act, H.R.2196, and any forthcoming Senate companion bill or amendment that includes the bill’s protections for servicemembers does just that.
This important legislation will empower servicemembers and their families against the practice of forced arbitration, a much too common dispute process that strips our servicemembers of their afforded rights under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) and the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). Forced Arbitration is a one-sided, non-transparent process in which servicemembers have very little chance at achieving a favorable outcome when their rights and protections set forth under these federal laws are violated.
In 1994, Congress passed USERRA, a bipartisan law that protects servicemembers from employment discrimination based on their military obligations. Unfortunately, due to the use of forced arbitration clauses in employment contracts, servicemembers are required to give up their USERRA rights in order to get or keep a job. Thus, when an employer violates USERRA, servicemembers have no ability to hold the employer publicly accountable.
The Servicemember Civil Relief Act (SCRA), a bi-partisan law enacted in 2003, was intended to provide financial and legal protections for active-duty servicemembers and their families. Servicemembers often face significant burdens that the civilian world does not, such as limited access to internet or banking services while deployed. These factors make our military personnel especially vulnerable to predatory lending schemes, unscrupulous financial practices and/or identity theft. In 2012, the GAO identified no fewer than 15,000 instances of financial institutions failing to properly reduce mortgage interest rates for servicemembers who qualified. In addition, the GAO determined that over 300 illegal foreclosures occur every year in violation of SCRA. The perpetrators of these illegal violations are not being held accountable as they simply hide behind forced arbitration clauses.
Servicemembers need their legal protections restored without delay, not another study to show what they already know-that Forced Arbitration hurts them and their families, and renders rights granted by SCRA and USERRA virtually meaningless. The Justice for Servicemembers Act would restore their ability to enforce USERRA and SCRA and hold wrongdoers accountable.
This legislation has only been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. EANGUS is actively working with Congressional Members in the U.S. Senate to try and get a companion bill introduced
EANGUS Legislative Action Center
FOR IMMEDIATE DISSEMINATION
PLEASE POST ON UNIT BULLETIN BOARDS AND SHARE!
Help us help National Guard members and their families in need.
Select “EANGUS We Care for America Foundation, Inc.” as your charitable organization in this year’s Combined Federal Campaign.
The EANGUS We Care for America Foundation exists to take care of National Guard men and women and their families and operates the National Guard Emergency Relief Fund. We provide emergency relief grants and interest-free loans to currently serving and honorably discharged National Guard Soldiers and Airmen.
The CFC Giving Period is open from 1 September 2021 to 15 January 2022
Please share this message and/or post the attached flyer on your unit bulletin board. Any employee (National Guard or civilian) whose employer participates in the Combined Federal Campaign can donate to WCFA through payroll deduction so share this information with your family, friends, co-workers, and others.
Go to www.cfcgiving.opm.gov or contact your local CFC representative for more information and DONATE to We Care for America!
Did you know there are several ways to donate to the We Care for America Foundation?
Want to help make a difference while you shop in the Amazon app, at no extra cost to you? Simply follow the instructions below to select “EANGUS We Care for America Foundation Inc” as your charity and activate AmazonSmile in the app. They’ll donate a portion of your eligible mobile app purchases to us.
How it works:
1. Open the Amazon app on your phone
2. Select the main menu (=) & tap on “AmazonSmile” within Programs & Features
3. Select “EANGUS We Care For America Foundation Inc” as your charity
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to activate AmazonSmile in the mobile app
Scholarship Announcement from our Platinum Partner Sonoran Desert Institute
EANGUS
Scholarship applications for the SDI/EANGUS Scholarship are now open!
The deadline to apply is 11:59 pm Mountain Standard Time on November 30 for the annual award.
Please note: SDI is unable to offer this scholarship to Guard Members who reside in Connecticut, New York, Washington, D.C., Rhode Island, Puerto Rico, and Guam.
BLACK FRIDAY PRE-SALE IS NOW LIVE! CHECK OUT CURRENT OFFERS!
Shop online through your Member Purchase Program store:
Calendar of upcoming events:
- 11/1: Sneak Peek: Deals are live
- 11/15 – 11/27: Black Friday Early Access for Members through 11/22 (ONLINE ONLY), and deals last through 11/27.
- Details: Doorbusters launch each weekday through 11/27. As a reminder, doorbusters are limited in quantity and first come first serve. Shop early as these deals will sell out quickly!
Plus, remember that your employees, families, and friends can get some great discounts on Dell Electronics & Accessories – Get that coupon on your Dell page too!
The Foundation has received funding from USAA for the EANGUS We Care for America COVID-19 Emergency Relief Grant and Interest-Free Loan Program.
With thousands of National Guard members and their families facing financial hardships as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the United Services Automobile Association (USAA), the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States (EANGUS) We Care for America Foundation, and the American Red Cross are teaming up to help National Guard members and families in need.
Go to the EANGUS-WCFA website for criteria to apply for COVID-19 Grants and COVID-19 Interest-Free Loans.
OPERATION VETCARE
Operation VetCare was established in 2017 by EANGUS is a program designed to assist Military Service Members, Veterans, and their families who faced special issues or challenges associated with military service. This program has continued to grow over the last several years. Assistance provided through this program may vary based on the limited funds available but may assist by providing support in the form of gift cards for food, clothing, and other necessary items during a service-related crisis. Through this program, EANGUS has been able to assist hundreds of people during a time of significant need. Click button for more information on how you can support this initiative through donations or to request assistance.
