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H.R. 5354 108th Congress House

National Guard and Reserve Bill of Rights Act of 2004

Official title: To enhance the benefits and protections for members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces who are called or ordered to extended active duty, and for other purposes.

Introduced: October 9, 2004 See on congress.gov
Armed Forces and National Security Administrative procedureAfghanistanArmed forces abroadArmed forces reserves
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ArmyChild developmentClaimsCongressCongress and military policyCongressional investigationsCongressional reporting requirementsDay careDepartment of DefenseEducationEmployee rightsExecutive reorganizationFamiliesFamily servicesFederal employeesFederal officialsFinance and Financial SectorGovernment Operations and PoliticsGovernment liabilityGovernmental investigationsHealthHealth insurance continuationHigher educationInsurance premiumsIraqIraq compilationLabor and EmploymentLawLeave of absenceLegislationManaged careMiddle East and North AfricaMilitary and naval suppliesMilitary dependentsMilitary medicineMilitary operationsMilitary payMilitary pensionsMilitary readinessNational GuardRating of employeesRecruiting and enlistmentSalariesSouth AsiaVeterans' educationVeterans' employment
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This bill died when the 108th Congress ended
It never became law before the 108th Congress (2003–2004) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 5 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Oct 21, 2004
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Chairman.
Oct 21, 2004
Referred to the Subcommittee on Benefits.
Oct 20, 2004
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Oct 9, 2004
Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Education and the Workforce, Ways and Means, and Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Oct 9, 2004
Introduced in House
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 Latest action October 21, 2004

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Chairman.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

National Guard and Reserve Bill of Rights Act of 2004 - Requires the Secretary of Defense to limit the length of assignment of reservists during U.S. Central Command deployments of not less than one year.

Requires the Secretary to submit to specified congressional committees a report on Department of Defense policies and communications regarding the length of deployments for reservists in connection with Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Directs the Secretary of the Army to designate a senior level official of the Department of the Army to implement recommendations for executive action to address military pay problems.

Expands reenlistment bonus eligibility and the amount of such bonuses for members of the Selected Reserve.

Removes conditions on Ready Reserve members' eligibility for TRICARE enrollment. Makes such eligibility permanent.

Requires the Secretary concerned to pay applicable premiums to continue qualified health benefit plan coverage for family members of eligible reservists serving on active duty for the benefits coverage continuation period.

Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to fund child care for members of the Armed Forces on active duty for Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Requires employers to provide notice of rights and benefits under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA).

Directs the Secretary of Labor and the Office of Special Counsel to carry out a demonstration project under which certain USERRA claims against Federal agencies are referred to the Office of Special Counsel.

Increases monthly educational assistance benefits for members of the Selected Reserve. Expands eligibility for such benefits to include reservists who have served on active duty for a cumulative period of 24 months during any five-year period.

Reduces from 60 to 55 the age at which members of Reserve components may receive military retirement pay.

Establishes the position of Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness (Reserve Affairs). Eliminates the position of Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs. Reduces the number of Assistant Secretaries of Defense.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • S 2791 Identical bill National Guard and Reserve Bill of Rights Act of 2004
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 8
 Cosponsors 14
All 14 Democratic 7
Bell, Chris
· Oct 9, 2004
BERRY, MARION
· Oct 9, 2004
 D
Bishop, Sanford D.
Georgia · Oct 9, 2004
Davis, Lincoln
· Oct 9, 2004
 D
DeGette, Diana
Colorado · Oct 9, 2004
 D
Larsen, Rick
Washington · Oct 9, 2004
LUCAS, KEN
· Oct 9, 2004
 D
McGovern, James P.
Massachusetts · Oct 9, 2004
 D
Sánchez, Linda T.
California · Oct 9, 2004
SANDLIN, MAX
· Oct 9, 2004
 D
Scott, Robert C. "Bobby"
Virginia · Oct 9, 2004
 D
Smith, Adam
Washington · Oct 9, 2004
STENHOLM, CHARLES
· Oct 9, 2004
STUPAK, BART
· Oct 9, 2004
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 5354: National Guard and Reserve Bill of Rights Act of 2004. 108th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-5354/
MLA
"H.R. 5354: National Guard and Reserve Bill of Rights Act of 2004." 108th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-5354/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 5354, 108th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-5354/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 5354: National Guard and Reserve Bill of Rights Act of 2004](https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-5354/)
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