[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 138 (Thursday, October 2, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1955]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           CONCURRENT RECEIPT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CORRINE BROWN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 2, 2003

  Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker Congress should fully fund 
concurrent receipt this session. It's the right thing to do. We owe it 
to the soldiers, airmen, sailors and marines, who have served as a 
source of great pride in our Nation, to fully fund the retirement that 
they have earned without penalizing them because they are also 
disabled. For every dollar given in disability pay, a dollar is taken 
out of retirement pay. That is wrong.
  Time and time again, our veterans' needs are being ignored. Not only 
do America's veterans face this issue of concurrent receipt, but VA 
still needs $1.8 billion to bring the fiscal year 2004 appropriation to 
the level set forth by the Budget Resolution. Where are our priorities?
  Right now, there are 140,000 Americans serving in Operation Iraqi 
Freedom. Now, more than ever, Congress needs to take action and fully 
fund concurrent receipt. We must promise this generation of 
servicemembers that they will be entitled to a full retirement for a 
career spent in the military. Today's soldier is tomorrow's veteran. We 
must show today's soldier that we will take care of him tomorrow.
  Last year, the Bush Administration threatened to veto any bill that 
contained concurrent receipt. The Administration forced Congress to 
compromise and our veterans paid the cost. Conferees provided for a 
special compensation for 35,000 veterans who could prove that they had 
a combat-related disability that made them eligible for this special 
pay. Compensating just 35,000 veterans, out of over 500,000 veterans 
affected, is absolutely unacceptable! Now is the time for us to correct 
the national embarrassment caused by the careless treatment of 
America's veterans.
  Any proposal that leads one to believe that it is furthering last 
year's authorizing of special compensation, by limiting receipt of 
special compensation to injuries or illnesses incurred while 
undertaking official military duties only, is a sham! This plan would 
fundamentally alter eligibility requirements for disability 
compensation. A proposal such as this could also affect VA health care 
and vocational rehabilitation because these services are based on 
service-connected disability status. I urge Congress to reject any 
proposal that amends Title 38's definition of service-connection.
  The Administration will argue that there is a cost barrier to fully 
funding concurrent receipt. This argument shows where the 
Administration's priorities are misplaced. If we can come up with 
another $87 billion for the war in Iraq, then we can surely find the 
money to bring our Nation's military retirees on par with the rest of 
federal employees. About $21 billion of the $87 billion is to rebuild 
the Iraqi infrastructure. If we can come up with $21 billion to build 
schools and hospitals in Iraq, then we certainly can come up with the 
money to fully fund concurrent receipt for the men and women who fought 
so bravely on behalf of this great Nation.
  I ask that Congress fully fund concurrent receipt this Session. I 
further ask that VA be given the $1.8 billion it needs so that we can 
show our veterans that we respect the sacrifices they made on our 
behalf. We need to stop talking the talk and start walking the walk.

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