Hubbard Act

Floor Speech

HUBBARD ACT

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Mr. COSTA. I want to thank Congressman Kind for his hard work in this very important legislation.

I rise tonight in strong support of H.R. 6580, the Hubbard Act, named after Jason and his brother Nathan Hubbard, to fix a flaw that exists, as Congressman Nunes so well stated, in the Department of Defense's sole survivor policy that really originated from the Sullivan Act that was referenced during World War II when the Sullivan family lost all of their sons in a naval combat action during World War II.

Right now, the Department of Defense allows a remaining son or daughter serving in the military to be removed from combat or to accept an honorable discharge. However, as we found with the circumstances facing the Hubbard family, military benefits like signing bonuses or access to the GI Bill can be taken away. This is not right. Jason Hubbard of Clovis, California was put in this situation after tragically losing both of his brothers. This legislation would allow a member who voluntarily separates honorably, under the sole survivor aspect of the law, to qualify for programs like the GI benefit, to be allowed the use of the commissary and base exchange, and entitled to benefits of the veteran home loan and other entitlements that our veterans who serve their country so honorably deserve. It was tragic to find that after the circumstance, that there was a request that he return his signing bonus benefit, but Congressman Nunes stepped in and, with the Secretary of the Army, changed that.

The legislation that we are about to pass here reflects veterans throughout our country. Our Central Valley, the San Joaquin Valley in California, has a proud history of men and women who have worn the uniform and defended our country in a troubled world, both in the 20th century and the 19th century, and of course today in the conflict in the Middle East, in the war in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Hubbard brothers now are a part of this honorable military history that all our veterans share in, and like the Sullivan brothers, are being recognized for their service.

This bill is fully paid for, and therefore PAYGO compliant. I want to thank Chairman Rangel for his willingness to make this extra effort. In multiple conversations that many of us had with the chairman, he understood clearly, as a fellow veteran, the importance of this legislation. Congressman Kind also showed leadership in his efforts. And of course as Congressman Nunes noted, without Senator Feinstein and Senator Chambliss' help, we would not have gotten the measure out through the Senate.

Finally, my good friend, Congressman Devin Nunes, has been tenacious on this piece of legislation, representing his constituents and the Hubbard family, but more importantly, all veterans throughout the United States. The passion and the leadership which Congressman Nunes demonstrated on this bill is reflective of his passion for his constituency and for our country.

So I want to thank Congressman Nunes for his hard work on behalf of the Hubbard family, Nathan and Jarrett, who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, to their family and to their brother Jason, who we have named this legislation on behalf of.

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