[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 1 (Wednesday, January 6, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E9]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            THE FILIPINO VETERANS SSI EXTENSION ACT, H.R. 26

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, January 6, 1999

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce H.R. 26, the 
Filipino Veterans SSI Extension Act.
  For the last several Congresses, I have introduced the Filipino 
Veterans Equity Act, a bill which would provide full veterans benefits 
to those veterans of the Commonwealth Army of the Philippines.
   Although hearings were held on this bill last year, the prospect of 
legislative action on a comprehensive benefit package for Filipino 
veterans appears unlikely. Therefore, I am offering this measure in 
part to provide some relief for those Filipino veterans residing in the 
United States who currently receive supplemental security income 
benefits.
  Under current law, individuals who receive SSI benefits must 
relinquish those benefits if they choose to leave the country. This 
bill would permit those who were members of the Filipino Commonwealth 
Army and recognized guerilla units during World War II to continue to 
receive SSI benefits if they elect to return to the Philippines.
  These benefits would be reduced by 50 percent if the individual 
veteran returned to the Philippines, to reflect the lower cost of 
living and per capita income of that nation.
  It is estimated that several thousand veterans would be affected, 
many of whom are financially unable to petition their families to 
immigrate to the United States. Should this bill be adopted, these 
veterans would be able to return to their families in the Philippines 
while bringing a decent income with them.
  Accordingly, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this 
worthwhile measure.

                                H.R. 26

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled, 

     SECTION 1. PROVISION OF REDUCED SSI BENEFIT TO CERTAIN 
                   INDIVIDUALS WHO PROVIDED SERVICE TO THE ARMED 
                   FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES IN THE PHILIPPINES 
                   DURING WORLD WAR II AFTER THEY MOVE BACK TO THE 
                   PHILIPPINES.

       (a) In General.--Notwithstanding sections 1611(b), 
     1611(f)(1), and 1614(a)(1)(B)(i) of the Social Security Act--
       (1) the eligibility of a qualified individual for benefits 
     under the supplemental security income program under title 
     XVI of such Act shall not terminate by reason of a change in 
     the place of residence of the individual to the Philippines; 
     and
       (2) the benefits payable to the individual under such 
     program shall be reduced by 50 percent for so long as the 
     place of residence of the individual is in the Philippines.
       (b) Qualified Individual Defined.--In subsection (a), the 
     term ``qualified individual'' means an individual who--
       (1) as of January 1, 1990, was eligible for benefits under 
     the supplemental security income program under title XVI of 
     the Social Security Act; and
       (2) before August 15, 1945, served in the organized 
     military forces of the Government of the Commonwealth of the 
     Philippines while such forces were in the service of the 
     Armed Forces of the United States pursuant to the military 
     order of the President dated July 26, 1941, including among 
     such military forces organized guerrilla forces under 
     commanders appointed, designated, or subsequently recognized 
     by the Commander in Chief, Southwest Pacific Area, or other 
     competent military authority in the Army of the United 
     States.

     

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