123STA T . 23 7 1 PUBLIC LA W 111 –84—O CT. 28 , 2 0 0 9(2)eachUnit e dS tate s ai r carrier ,fo ra l l m em b ers of the A rmed F orces w ho ha v e been g ranted leave or libert y and who are traveling by air at their own e xp ense, sho u ld — (A) see k to provide reduced air fares that are com - parable to the lowest airfare for ticketed flights and that eliminate to the maximum extent possible advance pur- chase re q uirements
( B ) seek to eliminate change fees or charges and any penalties; ( C ) seek to eliminate or reduce baggage and excess weight fees; ( D ) offer flexible terms that allow members to pur- chase, modify, or cancel tickets without time restrictions, and to waive fees (including baggage fees), ancillary costs, or penalties; and ( E ) seek to take proactive measures to ensure that all airline employees, particularly those who issue tickets and respond to members of the Armed Forces and their family members, are trained in the policies of the airline aimed at benefitting members of the Armed Forces who are on leave .SEC.6 6 3 . SE N SE OF CON GR ESS ON ES TABLI S HM ENT OF FLE X IBLE S P EN D ING ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE U NIFORMED SER V- ICES. (a) INGE NE RAL .—It is the sense of Congress that the Secretary of Defense, with respect to members of the Army, N avy, M arine Corps, and Air Force, the Secretary of H omeland Security, with respect to members of the Coast Guard, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, with respect to commissioned officers of the P ublic Health Service, and the Secretary of Commerce, with respect to commissioned officers of the National O ceanic and Atmospheric Administration, should establish procedures to implement flexible spending arrangements with respect to basic pay and compensation for health care and dependent care on a pre-tax basis in accordance with regulations prescribed under sections 106 (c) and 12 5 of the Internal R evenue Code of 1 98 6. (b) C O N SID ERA T IONS.—It is the sense of Congress that, in estab- lishing the procedures described by subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and the Secretary of Commerce should consider life events of members of the uniformed services that are unique to them as members of the uniformed services, including changes relating to permanent changes of duty station and deploy- ments to overseas contingency operations. SEC. 66 4 . SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING SUPPORT FOR COMPENSA- TION , RETIREMENT, AND OTHER MILITAR Y PERSONNEL PROGRAMS. It is the sense of Congress that members of the Armed Forces and their families and survivors and military retirees deserve ongoing recognition and support for their service and sacrifices on behalf of the United States, and Congress will continue to be vigilant in identifying appropriate direct spending offsets that can be used to address shortcomings within those military personnel programs that incur mandatory spending obligations.
