[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 60 (Thursday, April 29, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S4458]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. DOMENICI:
  S. 925. A bill to require the Secretary of the military department 
concerned to reimburse a member of the Armed Forces for expenses of 
travel in connection with leave canceled to meet an exigency in 
connection with United States participation in Operation Allied Force; 
to the Committee on Armed Services.


          reimbursement for u.s. personnel involved in Kosovo

  Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I rise today to offer a bill to 
reimburse U.S. military personnel for costs incurred due to 
cancellation of travel plans. This bill would authorize DoD to 
reimburse the men and women involved in Kosovo operations in any 
instance where they are forced to pay a fee to the airlines for changes 
in travel plans or purchased non-refundable tickets.
  In those instances where military personnel are recalled from leave 
or forced to cancel their leave plans due to the current crisis in 
Kosovo, the Defense Department is not authorized to reimburse them for 
costs incurred to change or cancel their personal travel plans.
  Military legal offices only pay the claims that Congress has 
authorized them to pay through legislation. Currently, DoD is only 
authorized to pay very specific claims. These claims usually involve 
damage to government property. Personal property is only covered if the 
damage or loss is related to official duty. There is no statutory 
authority to reimburse a member who incurs additional costs related to 
their leave, even if these costs are a direct result of performing 
their duty as members of the U.S. military.
  I find this situation preposterous. These men and women are being 
asked to cover expenses incurred through no fault of their own. In 
response to their commitment to an international security crisis, we 
tell them to foot the bill for any vacation plans they might have had.
  In light of earlier legislation we passed this year to signal to our 
military personnel that Congress will not short-change them for their 
service to this country, this measure offers one additional token of 
our appreciation and pride.
  I ask unanimous consent that a copy of the bill be printed in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                 S. 925

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. REIMBURSEMENT OF TRAVEL EXPENSES INCURRED BY 
                   MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES IN CONNECTION WITH 
                   LEAVE CANCELED FOR INVOLVEMENT IN KOSOVO-
                   RELATED ACTIVITIES.

       (a) Requirement for Reimbursement.--The Secretary of the 
     military department concerned shall reimburse a member of the 
     Armed Forces under the jurisdiction of the Secretary for 
     expenses of travel (to the extent not otherwise reimbursable 
     under law) that have been incurred by the member in 
     connection with approved leave canceled to meet an exigency 
     in connection with United States participation in Operation 
     Allied Force.
       (b) Administrative Provisions.--The Secretary of Defense 
     shall prescribe the procedures and documentation required for 
     application for, and payment of, reimbursements to members of 
     the Armed Forces under subsection (a).
                                 ______