McKinney - House Legislation

VETERANS

Veterans and Active Duty Service Personnel America's men and women in uniform command our utmost respect. They risk everything as they carry out the military policies set by Congress and the Executive. When engaged in legislative battles over foreign policy on the Hill over policy, I always remember to speak up for the rights of veterans and active duty service personnel.

I have consistently opposed cuts to health care and benefits for veterans and active duty service personnel. They deserve no less than full benefits, such as disability benefits, and retirement pay. Sadly, the Bush Administration does not seem to agree with these views. In 2003, the Republican-led House voted to cut funding for Veterans' medical care by $844 million. Current plans include future cuts to medical care, disability compensation and other benefits to veterans in excess of $20 billion dollars. With over 16,000 soldiers having been seriously wounded in the Iraq war, cutting their benefits is no way to thank them for their service to our country.

Considering the fixed income that many veterans rely on, I have co-sponsored the Disabled Veterans Fairness Act (H.R. 4025). This bill would eliminate a $3 per round-trip deductible charged by the Department of Veterans Affairs in connection with the veterans beneficiary travel program. In addition, this bill urges the Secretary to equate the mileage reimbursement rates to that of government employees traveling on official business. This might seem like a small measure, but over time the money to be saved by veterans would be quite substantial.

Another initiative aimed at easing the financial burden for our veterans that I strongly support is H.R. 3478. This bill would the Internal Revenue Code to allow tax-free rollovers of military death gratuities to IRAs, health savings, Archer medical savings accounts, and Coverdell education savings accounts.

During the 107th Congress, I was proud to sponsor the Agent Orange Respiratory Cancer Act (H.R. 1587), which became law in December 2001 when it was added as a provision of Veterans' Education Benefits Bill(H.R. 1291). This bill made important changes to law enabling certain cancer sufferers to obtain benefits and assistance from the VA that would otherwise have been denied. I also attempted to increase the budget allocation for veterans by $3 billion through a budget amendment. Finally, I co-sponsored and promoted legislation to permit full concurrent receipt of retirement and disability benefits for retired military personnel who also are disabled veterans. The law that prohibits concurrent receipt is wrong and disrespectful to those who have served our nation.