Subject: RELEASE: Senators Sessions, Clinton and Casey Applaud Passage of Their Legislation to Protect Bonuses for Wounded Veterans
From: "Clinton, Press Office (Clinton)" <[email-masked]>
Date: Mon, 17 Dec 2007 11:17:09 -0500

For Immediate Release

December 17, 2007

Contact:

Stephen E. Boyd (Sessions) 202-224-4124

Clinton Press Office 202-224-2243 or 

[email-masked]

Kendra Barkoff (Casey) 202-228-6367

Christina Stacey (Altmire) 202-225-2565

Michael Houston (IAVA) 212-982-9699 or 

[email-masked]

 

SENATORS SESSIONS, CLINTON AND CASEY APPLAUD PASSAGE OF THEIR
LEGISLATION TO PROTECT BONUSES FOR WOUNDED VETERANS 

Senate Unanimously Approves Bill to Guarantee Payments to Wounded
Warriors

Washington, DC - Senators Jeff Sessions (R-AL), Hillary Rodham Clinton
(D-NY) and Robert Casey (D-PA) hailed unanimous Senate approval of their
legislation that guarantees full payment of bonuses and incentives to
veterans wounded in combat. The bipartisan effort came in response to
recent reports of wounded troops being asked to repay their enlistment
bonuses. The legislation also requires the Pentagon to conduct an audit
to identify former servicemembers who may have been affected by this
practice dating back to 2001 and to restore their rightful payments.
Senators John McCain (R-AZ), Bernard Sanders (I-VT), Frank Lautenberg
(D-NJ), Byron Dorgan (D-ND), Mel Martinez (R-FL), and Jim Webb (D-VA)
were cosponsors of the bill.

"The passage of this legislation sends a clear message to both current
service personnel and potential recruits that the United States
government will honor its commitments to those that volunteer to serve
our country," said Senator Sessions.

"By approving this bipartisan legislation the Senate has stood by our
wounded veterans and struck a blow for fairness and common sense.
Guaranteeing our troops receive their entire bonus is the least we can
do for these heroes," Senator Clinton said. "I am proud to be a part of
the solution for our veterans."

"I'm pleased that the Senate supported this bill that would allow
soldiers who have been medically discharged due to combat related
injuries to keep their bonuses," said Senator Casey.  "Today we showed
our troops that we aren't going to leave them at the shoreline.
Congressman Altmire has worked tirelessly on this issue and I am looking
forward to working with him to ensure this bill gets signed into law."

The "Restoring Guaranteed Bonuses for Wounded Veterans Act of 2007" ends
a practice identified by the Dole-Shalala commission. The legislation
includes these provisions:

*	requires payment of remaining bonus entitlement to
servicemembers within 90 days of retirement or separation due to a
combat-related injury;
*	defines 32 types of bonuses and special pay that would be
covered under this legislation;
*	defines combat-related injury for these purposes;
*	include a provision that would direct the Department of Defense
to immediately stop collection actions on portions of bonuses already
paid out;
*	provides a September 11, 2001 retroactive period for the payment
or repayment of bonuses that were stopped or not completely paid;
*	and directs that DoD or another entity performs a financial
audit that identifies former servicemembers to be paid and the amount
money owed to each former servicemember.

Congressman Jason Altmire (PA-4) introduced similar legislation to
protect the bonuses of wounded veterans in the U.S. House of
Representatives in October. It is now cosponsored by 270 members of
Congress.

"Our nation's wounded veterans have fought and sacrificed so much for
us.  It is time to fight for them to ensure that they receive every
penny that they were promised and have rightfully earned and deserve.  I
am pleased my colleagues in the Senate have passed this important
legislation.  The House is expected to pass this bill next week, and I
look forward to resolving this issue as quickly as possible," said
Congressman Altmire.

The Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) praised Senate
passage of the Sessions-Clinton-Casey legislation.

"IAVA is thrilled that the Senate demonstrated bi-partisan support for
S.2400, the Wounded Warrior Bonus Equity Act, and rapidly passed this
important legislation. Ensuring that wounded service members receive
their full enlistment bonuses is a critical way to honor their enormous
sacrifice. We are grateful to Senators Sessions and Clinton for their
leadership on this important issue and we urge the House of
Representatives to expedite the passage of this legislation," said Paul
Rieckhoff, Executive Director of IAVA.

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