[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 112 (Friday, August 12, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 12, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                VETERANS' PERSIAN GULF WAR BENEFITS ACT

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                           HON. CORRINE BROWN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, August 12, 1994

  Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, earlier this week, the House of 
Representatives overwhelmingly approved H.R. 4386, the Veterans' 
Persian Gulf War Benefits Act, which was introduced by Congressman 
Sonny Montgomery. I commend Chairman Montgomery for all of his work to 
bring this much-needed bill to the floor and the members of the 
Veterans' Affairs Committee for responding to Persian Gulf veterans 
suffering from the Persian Gulf syndrome and their families.
  H.R. 4386 provides compensation to Persian Gulf war veterans who 
suffer from chronic disabilities resulting from a combination of 
undiagnosed illnesses commonly referred to as the Persian Gulf 
syndrome. Although I strongly support this bill, I am very disappointed 
that a large group of veterans will not be eligible for this disability 
compensation because those Persian Gulf veterans who participated in 
the military's early separation benefits programs cannot receive 
disability compensation until they pay back their separation benefits.
  During the Veterans' Affairs Committee's markup of H.R. 4386, I 
attempted to offer an amendment to make these veterans eligible for the 
disability compensation right now. The amendment was supported by the 
American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, 
and Vietnam Veterans of America.
  Unfortunately, I had to withdraw my amendment because the 
Congressional Budget Office [CBO] was unable to estimate its cost due 
to its backload of health care bills. It was clear from the discussion 
during the full committee markup that Members believe that this is a 
serious issue which needs to be addressed. As a result, I intend to 
continue my efforts to look for legislative vehicles to solve this 
problem.
  This problem developed in the early 1990's, when Congress established 
early military separation benefits to help the Defense Department 
reduce the size of the Armed Forces. Congress included restrictions on 
these programs preventing military personnel who receive early 
separation benefits from receiving disability compensation from the 
Department of Veterans Affairs until the benefits are repaid.
  When Congress approved these restrictions, it could not have foreseen 
the Persian Gulf syndrome and its devastating effects on these veterans 
and their families. Many of these disabled veterans are unable to work 
and their families are faced with financial hardship. It is only fair 
and decent that we provide these veterans with the same disability 
benefits as any other veteran.
  I believe that this view is best summarized in a letter that I 
received from the Veterans of Foreign Wars supporting my amendment. 
``To disallow these heroic American from receiving the benefits 
dictated by H.R. 4386 until their separation benefits are repaid would 
be both cruel and unfair.''

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