weekly electronic newsletter, and is published every Thursday when Congress is in session.     ★★★Association of the United States Army Leaders meet with House Armed Services Committee Staff Director Bob Simmons(From left to right:  John Gifford, AUSA Director of Government Affairs; LTG (retired) Guy Swan, AUSA Vice President for Education; GEN (retired) Gordon Sullivan, AUSA President and CEO; Bob Simmons, HASC Staff Director; and SMA (retired) Ken Preston, AUSA Director of Noncommissioned Officer & Soldier Programs)On February 2, 2016, AUSA leaders went to Capitol Hill to meet with Mr. Bob Simmons, the Staff Director of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC).  Mr. Simmons’ responsibilities include planning and implementing the agenda and operations of the powerful 63-member committee as it formulates the annual National Defense Authorization legislation. Mr. Simmons discussed the upcoming legislative season and Chairman Mac Thornberry’s priorities, and AUSA leaders presented our strong concerns regarding maintaining sufficient Army endstrength and readiness.  General Sullivan also asked for the Committee’s help in stopping the erosion of military benefits.- See more at: http://www1.ausa.org/legislation/newsletter/Pages/3February2016Legislat…