Rep. Cisneros Joins Reps. Correa, and Cline to Introduce the Bipartisan Legion Act

Statement

Congressman Gilbert R. Cisneros, Jr. (D-CA-39), joined Rep. Lou Correa (D-CA-46), and Rep. Ben Cline (R-VA-06) to introduce H.R. 1641, the bipartisan LEGION Act, which will expand membership criteria of the American Legion to include all honorably discharged veterans who served during unrecognized times of war since World War II. This bill will ensure that thousands of brave American veterans who defended their country during unrecognized times of war can access the full benefits of American Legion membership. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) and Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) have introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

"As a member of the American Legion, I am proud to join my colleagues in becoming an original cosponsor of the bipartisan, bicameral LEGION Act. All veterans, regardless of when they served, made a commitment to our country and our Constitution," said Rep. Cisneros. "As a Navy Veteran, I understand the sacrifice that all our veterans and their families have made and that should not be defined by a period in time or some unrecognized war era. All veterans are deserving of recognition and membership in the American Legion and our legislation will ensure these veterans have the opportunity to gain the membership eligible benefits that they deserve. I thank Congressman Correa, Congressman Cline, Senator Sinema, and Senator Tillis for their leadership on this issue and I am honored to join them to support this important veterans organization."

"For 100 years the American Legion has provided critical resources and created a community for veterans," said Rep. Lou Correa. "This legislation will ensure that everyone who puts on the uniform has the privilege to join the Legions' ranks. Regardless of when a servicemember served, every veteran is a hero and has earned our respect and full access to their benefits. This bill will ensure every veteran has the opportunity to join their brothers and sisters in arms in the American Legion."

"Veterans issues are America's issues. I am pleased to join my colleagues Luis Correa and Gil Cisneros on this bipartisan piece of legislation which enables Congress to recognize the honorable military service of those who served during unrecognized periods of war," said Rep. Ben Cline. "Paying tribute to these men and women and to the estimated 1,600 patriots who gave the last full measure of devotion to their country is fitting and right."

Rep. Cisneros is a 10-year Navy veteran and former Lt. Commander and supply and logistics officer and is a member of the House Armed Services Committee and the Committee on Veterans Affairs. He recently heard testimony from every major veterans' organization in the United States, including the American Legion, on their priorities for 2019.

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