Daines Fights to Keep National Guard, Veterans Services Funded
Press Release
Congressman Steve Daines today joined the House in passing legislation to provide full appropriations for the Department of Veterans affairs and ensure all Guard members and reservists performing inactive-duty training receive pay and allowances.
The Pay Our Guard and Reserve Act and the Honoring Our Promise to America's Veterans Act were passed with bipartisan support this afternoon.
"Montana is proud to be home to thousands of veterans, members of the National Guard and reservists, and as Montana's Congressman, it is my responsibility to ensure that these men and women get the support and care they need," Daines stated."It's unacceptable that Washington's inaction is threatening veterans' access to the services they need and prolonging the pay and allowances of some of our Guard members and reservists. It is critical that the Department of Veterans Affairs is fully funded and that none of our Guard members or reservists are forced to see a delay in their pay. I call on the Senate to quickly take up these common sense bills and provide our veterans, reservists and our National Guard members will the support they deserve and the benefits they were promised."
The Pay Our Guard and Reserve Act provides funding for the pay and allowances of military personnel in the reserve component who are in inactive status. Last week, the House and Senate passed legislation to provide direct appropriations to pay the salaries and allowances to members of the Armed Forces, along with civilian employees and contractors engaged in support of the Armed Forces, during a lapse in appropriations. The Pay Our Guard and Reserve Act ensures that military reserve personnel who perform inactive-duty training also receive pay and allowances.
The Honoring Our Promise to America's Veterans Act provides for the immediate availability of discretionary funds for the Department of Veterans Affairs, ensuring that the Department is able to continue veterans services, including operations related to veterans disability payments, the GI Bill, education training, and VA home loans, during the partial government shutdown.
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