[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 148 (Friday, November 15, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2057]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                CONCURRENT RECEIPT: TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BOB FILNER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 14, 2002

  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, I rise today to protest the 
``compromise'' provision included in the Defense Authorization Act 
regarding the issue known as concurrent receipt.
  As we all know, current law requires an offset between military 
retired pay and VA disability compensation. In effect, our disabled 
military retirees are paying for their own disability!
  Both the House and the Senate, in their versions of the Defense 
Authorization Act, passed significant and appropriate provisions to 
address this inequity. The Senate bill provided concurrent receipt for 
all veterans who were qualified to receive both military retired pay 
and VA disability compensation. The House bill provided. it for those 
veterans with a disability rating of 60 percent or more.
  Now, we come to the so-called ``compromise'' before us. A compromise, 
to me, means that you meet somewhere in the middle. This compromise 
does no such thing. It would set up an alternative ``special pay'' for 
only military retirees who have combat-related disabilities. These are 
military retirees with 20 years of service who also:
  1. Have a Purple Heart and a disability rating of 10 percent or more 
for the condition for which they received the Purple Heart, or
  2. Have another ``qualifying combat-related disability'' rated at 
least 60 percent.
  I have heard that this ``compromise'' is being sold as a good first 
step. It is not a good first step. It is hardly a step at all.
  During my ten years in Congress, I cannot recall more than one or two 
other issues besides concurrent receipt on which I have received so 
many letters, e-mails, and calls. The expectations of our military 
retirees have been raised by the House and Senate versions of this 
bill. It is a disservice to give so little to so few at the last 
minute. While these veterans with combat-related disabilities are 
absolutely deserving of recognition, so are the others whom we have 
been fighting for!
  I understand that it is expensive to pass concurrent receipt. But 
disabled veterans did not hesitate when called to serve. They returned 
home with disabilities they have had to live with ever since. How can 
we even doubt the need to keep our promises and give them what they 
deserve? They earned their military retired pay. They deserve their VA 
disability compensation. The ``compromise'' that is before us today is 
a disgrace.

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