Bipartisan Bill Seeks to Ensure Benefits for Veterans
By Debbie Gregory.
On January 5, 2019, House Representatives Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02) and Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) introduced bipartisan legislation to ensure that retired members of the Armed Forces who have a service-connected disability will be able to receive both disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for their disability in addition to their retirement pay acquired through their years of military service or combat-related special compensation.
The Retired Pay Restoration Act was referred to the Committee on Armed Services, in addition to the Committee on 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.
Under current law, veterans receiving 40% or lower rates of service-connected disability compensation are not eligible for full retirement and disability benefits. The Retired Pay Restoration Act would correct this error and allow veterans receiving 40% or lower rates of service-connected disability to receive both military retired pay and veterans’ disability compensation or combat-related special pay.
Each representative introducing the act made a statement via a January 10th press release:
“Our veterans have dedicated their lives in service to our country, and should not be penalized for that service due to a bureaucratic rule,” Rep. Gabbard, founder and co-chair of the Post-9/11 Veterans Caucus said. “Retirement benefits and disability benefits are two different things, and one should not be counted against the other.”
“Our nation’s veterans have earned and deserve the utmost respect, best possible services and care for the sacrifices they and their families have made to defend this country—especially under the constant threat of global terrorism,” said Congressman Bilirakis. “However, under current law, some military retirees have their disability pay deducted from their retirement pay, which is unconscionable. These are two completely different benefits, and it is wrong for them to count against one another. Plain and simple, it isn’t right to deny Veterans the financial compensation they have earned and deserve. I am honored and grateful to have Representative Tulsi Gabbard working alongside me this year, in a bi-partisan manner, to champion this important cause. I am hopeful that with our combined efforts, this will be the year we are able to finally rectify this injustice.”
If you would like to show your support, you can sign a petition to be delivered to the White House and Congress at https://petitions.moveon.org/sign/honor-our-military-heroes.
