Veterans Guaranteed Bonus Act of 2007

Floor Speech

SPEECH OF
HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY
OF ILLINOIS
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
MONDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2007

* Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3793, the Veterans Guaranteed Bonus Act. I am proud to cosponsor this important, bipartisan legislation which will ensure that members of the Armed Services who are discharged as a result of combat-related wounds receive the full compensation to which they are entitled.

* H.R. 3793 was prompted by the recommendations of the Commission on Care for America's Returning Wounded Warriors, co-chaired by former Senator Bob Dole and former Secretary of Health and Human Services Donna Shalala. It will reverse a Department of Defense rule that unfairly penalizes wounded soldiers and prohibits them from receiving their full enlistment bonuses.

* While facing the threat of a hostile enemy, our veterans have too often returned home to find more trouble: gaps in health care services, limited educational assistance, problems finding employment and a lack of support for their families. Too often, our brave military men and women find that while they have been willing to serve their country, their country is not ready to serve them. We can take an important step in reversing that trend by ensuring that veterans receive all the pay for which they are entitled.

* According to Department of Defense rules, enlistees cannot receive their full enlistment bonus unless they fulfill their entire military obligation. Unfortunately, members of the Armed Services who are wounded while on active duty are not receiving their full bonuses because their service was prematurely cut short. The Veterans Guaranteed Bonus Act will correct this problem by requiring the Department of Defense to provide veterans who have been discharged due to combat-related wounds with full payment of remaining bonuses within 30 days of discharge. This will ensure that America's wounded warriors receive the full compensation promised to them.

* These wounded veterans have earned their bonuses by answering the call to service. Now is the time to heed the recommendation of the Dole-Shalala Commission and fix this problem.

* I would like to thank Congressman Jason Altmire for introducing this legislation and Chairman Bob Filner for prioritizing the health and well-being of the Nation's veterans.

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