Durbin, Gutiérrez, Duckworth, Enyart, Bustos Introduce Bill to Restore 100 Percent Benefit Eligibility for Filipino World War II Veterans

Press Release

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Representative Luis Gutiérrez (D-IL), U.S. Representative Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), U.S. Representative William Enyart (D-IL), and U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL) today introduced the Benefits Fairness for Filipino Veterans Act, which adjusts residency requirements for Filipino World War II veterans that currently result in some of them facing a 50 percent cut in benefits. It puts these Filipino veterans on a par with other permanent legal residents.

"Filipino-American veterans served our country admirably and honorably in World War II," Durbin said. "Whether or not they spend part of the year visiting family in the Philippines is irrelevant to their service of our nation. I'm proud to join Congressman Gutiérrez to restore these benefits for Filipino-American veterans."

"This is a small measure of fairness for veterans who sacrificed so much," Luis Gutiérrez said. "This will help veterans in Chicago and Illinois and around the country keep benefits they earned without an arbitrary cut if they spend too much time visiting loved ones in their golden years."

"This is necessary legislation for the Filipino veterans and advocates who have long fought to obtain just compensation for their sacrifices and service to our country," Duckworth said. "I have long advocated for Filipino veterans to receive their promised benefits in full, and remain committed to honoring the contributions of all of our men and women in uniform -- no matter their background. These men fought loyally beside our American troops and deserve to receive the benefits promised to them, including the same freedom to travel that other permanent residents enjoy."

"Having spent over 35 years in the military, I know our national policies should treat all veterans with respect and equality," Enyart said. "This measure ensures that Filipino-American veterans are entitled to the full measure of benefits afforded to others, and I'm proud to support it."

"All the brave veterans who have served our country deserve our thanks and gratitude-they had our backs and we should have theirs," said Congresswoman Bustos. "That is why I am proud to support this effort to ensure Filipino veterans who have sacrificed on our behalf receive the benefits they have earned."

Initially, Filipino veterans who are U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents received only 50 cents on the dollar compared to other veterans for benefits including service connected disabilities, dependency and indemnity compensation, education benefits for their children, and a burial allowance. In 2001, Congress passed a law granting 100 percent of eligible veterans' benefits to those American citizens and permanent residents residing in the U.S. who served in World War II in the Commonwealth of the Army of the Philippines, certain recognized guerilla forces or the Philippine Scouts. A subsequent ruling by the Department of Veterans Affairs slashed the benefits in half for any Filipino veteran who spent more than 60 days at a time or more than 183 total days in a calendar year outside the U.S.--a standard that does not apply to other benefit recipients.

The Benefits Fairness for Filipino Veterans Act would adjust the regulations and give Filipino veterans the same freedom to travel that is afforded to other permanent residents.

In order for U.S. citizen and legal permanent resident Filipino veterans to reinstate their benefits under the current rules, the veteran must submit documentation of any dates they traveled outside the country along with copies of their passport visas or reentry permits with entrance and exit date stamps. Veterans from Chicago and districts across the country have had to go through this cumbersome process to reinstate benefits that they earned, only to be told that their responses are pending in the backlog of cases with the Manila Office of the Department of Veteran Affairs.

The Benefits Fairness for Filipino Veterans Act is supported by the Veterans Assistance Commission. Veterans from the organization's Cook County chapter brought the issue to Senator Durbin and Congressman Gutiérrez requesting a change for Filipino veterans.