Rep. Tom Davis (R-Va.) once again is leading an effort to revise the Internal Revenue Code to permit military and federal civilian retirees to pay health care premiums from pre-tax dollars. Davis, who began this crusade in 106th Congress and gained 340 cosponsors during the 109th, on Feb. 16 reintroduced the legislation (HR 1110), which he says would offer “a modest amount of money, but to those on a fixed income, this could have a real impact.” Estimates peg the savings for federal civilian retirees would be about $820 per year. A statement issued by his office did not offer an estimate for military retirees.
The Pentagon agency charged with building and operating U.S. spy satellites recently declassified some details about a Cold War-era surveillance program called Jumpseat—a revelation it says sheds light on the importance of satellite imaging technology and how it has advanced in the decades since.
