To provide for the supplemental subsistence allowance, imminent danger pay, family separation allowance, and certain federal assistance to be cumulative benefits; and to require a report on availability of social services to members of the Armed Forces.

SA 3173. Mr. ALEXANDER submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 2400, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2005 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe personnel strengths for such fiscal year for the Armed Services, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

On page 127, between the matter following line 5 and line 6, insert the following:

SEC. 621. TREATMENT OF CERTAIN SPECIAL PAYS AND ALLOWANCES FOR PURPOSES OF CERTAIN FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS.

(a) Receipt Not To Affect Eligibility.--(1) Chapter 17 of title 37, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

“Sec. 909. Treatment of certain special pays and allowances

for purposes of eligibility under certain Federal

assistance programs

“(a) Receipt Not To Affect Eligibility.--Receipt of special pays specified in subsection (b) shall not be considered in determining eligibility of members of the uniformed services for benefits under the provisions of law specified in subsection (c).

“(b) Covered Special Pays and Allowances.--The special pays and allowances referred to in subsection (a) are as follows:

“(1) The assignment incentive special pay under section 307a of this title

“(2) The special pay under section 310 of this title, relating to duty subject to hostile fire or imminent danger.

“(3) The family separation allowance under section 427 of this title.

“(c) Federal Assistance Programs.--The benefits referred to in subsection (a) are as follows:

“(1) Benefits under the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.).

“(2) Free lunches under the school lunch program established under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.).

“(3) Assistance under the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children established by section 17 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786).

“(4) Assistance under the child and adult care food program established under section 17 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1766).

“(5) Free breakfasts under the school breakfast program established by section 4 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1773).

“(6) Services under the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.).

“(7) Assistance under the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858 et seq.).

“(8) Assistance under the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 (42 U.S.C. 8621 et seq.).

“(9) Assistance under section 521 of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1490a).

“(10) Assistance under title I of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437 et seq.), including assistance under section 8 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1437f).”.

(2) The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end the following new item:

“909. Treatment of certain special pays and allowances for purposes of eligibility under certain Federal assistance programs.”.

(b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that pay and allowances other than basic pay under section 204 of title 37, United States Code, and compensation under section 206 of such title should not be taken into account in determinations of eligibility of members of the uniformed services and their families for benefits under general assistance programs administered by States.

(c) Effective Date.--Section 909 of title 37, United States Code (as added by subsection (a)), shall take effect on October 1, 2004.