[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 193 (Monday, December 17, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H15494-H15497]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
VETERANS GUARANTEED BONUS ACT OF 2007
Ms. SHEA-PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass
the bill (H.R. 3793) to amend title 37, United States Code, to require
the Secretary of Defense to continue to pay to a member of the Armed
Forces who is retired or separated from the Armed Forces due to a
combat-related injury certain bonuses that the member was entitled to
before the retirement or separation and would continue to be entitled
to if the member was not retired or separated, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 3793
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans Guaranteed Bonus
Act of 2007''.
SEC. 2. CONTINUATION OF ENTITLEMENT TO BONUSES AND SIMILAR
BENEFITS FOR MEMBERS OF THE UNIFORMED SERVICES
WHO DIE, ARE SEPARATED OR RETIRED FOR
DISABILITY, OR MEET OTHER CRITERIA.
(a) Discretion to Provide Exception to Termination and
Repayment Requirements Under Certain Circumstances.--Section
303a(e) of title 37, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in the subsection heading, by inserting ``; Termination
of Entitlement to Unpaid Amounts'' after ``Met'';
(2) in paragraph (1)--
(A) by striking ``A member'' and inserting ``(A) Except as
provided in paragraph (2), a member''; and
(B) by striking ``the requirements, except in certain
circumstances authorized by the Secretary concerned.'' and
inserting ``the eligibility requirements and may not receive
any unpaid amounts of the bonus or similar benefit after the
member fails to satisfy the requirements, unless the
Secretary concerned determines that the imposition of the
repayment requirement and termination of the payment of
unpaid amounts of the bonus or similar benefit with regard to
the member would be contrary to a personnel policy or
management objective, would be against equity and good
conscience, or would be contrary to the best interests of the
United States.''; and
(3) by redesignating paragraph (2) as subparagraph (B) of
paragraph (1).
(b) Mandatory Payment of Unpaid Amounts Under Certain
Circumstances; No Repayment of Unearned Amounts.--Section
303a(e) of title 37, United States Code, is amended by
inserting after paragraph (1), as amended by subsection (a),
the following new paragraph (2):
``(2)(A) If a member of the uniformed services dies (other
than as a result the member's misconduct) or is retired or
separated for disability under chapter 61 of title 10, the
Secretary concerned--
``(i) shall not require repayment by the member or the
member's estate of the unearned portion of any bonus or
similar benefit previously paid to the member; and
``(ii) shall require the payment to the member or the
member's estate of the remainder of any bonus or similar
benefit that was not yet paid to the member, but to which the
member was entitled immediately before the death, retirement,
or separation of the member, and would be paid if not for the
death, retirement, or separation of the member.
``(B) The amount to be paid under subparagraph (A)(ii)
shall be equal to the full amount specified by the agreement
or contract applicable to the bonus or similar benefit as if
the member continued to be entitled to the bonus or similar
benefit following the death, retirement, or separation.
``(C) Amounts to be paid to a member or the member's estate
under subparagraph (A)(ii) shall be paid in a lump sum not
later than 90 days after the date of the death, retirement,
or separation of the member, whichever applies.''.
(c) Conforming Amendments Reflecting Consolidated Special
Pay and Bonus Authorities.--
(1) Conforming amendments.--Section 373 of title 37, United
States Code, as added by section 661 of the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008, is amended--
(A) in subsection (a)--
(i) in the subsection heading, by inserting ``and
Termination'' after ``Repayment''; and
(ii) by inserting before the period at the end the
following: ``, and the member may not receive any unpaid
amounts of the bonus, incentive pay, or similar benefit after
the member fails to satisfy such service or eligibility
requirement''; and
(B) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following
new subsection:
``(b) Exceptions.--
``(1) Discretion to provide exception to termination and
repayment requirements.--Pursuant to the regulations
prescribed to administer this section, the Secretary
concerned may grant an exception to the repayment requirement
and requirement to terminate the payment of unpaid amounts of
a bonus, incentive pay, or similar benefit if the Secretary
concerned determines that the imposition of the repayment and
termination requirements with regard to a member of the
uniformed services would be contrary to a personnel policy or
management objective, would be against equity and good
conscience, or would be contrary to the best interests of the
United States.
``(2) Mandatory payment of unpaid amounts under certain
circumstances; no repayment of unearned amounts.--(A) If a
member of the uniformed services dies (other than as a result
the member's misconduct) or is retired or separated for
disability under chapter 61 of title 10, the Secretary
concerned--
``(i) shall not require repayment by the member or the
member's estate of the unearned portion of any bonus,
incentive pay, or similar benefit previously paid to the
member; and
``(ii) shall require the payment to the member or the
member's estate of the remainder of any bonus, incentive pay,
or similar benefit that was not yet paid to the member, but
to which the member was entitled immediately before the
death, retirement, or separation of the member, and would be
paid if not for the death, retirement, or separation of the
member.
``(B) The amount to be paid under subparagraph (A)(ii)
shall be equal to the full amount specified by the agreement
or contract applicable to the bonus, incentive pay, or
similar benefit as if the member continued to be entitled to
the bonus, incentive pay, or similar benefit following the
death, retirement, or separation.
``(C) Amounts to be paid to a member or the member's estate
under subparagraph (A)(ii) shall be paid in a lump sum not
later than 90 days after the date of the death, retirement,
or separation of the member, whichever applies.''.
(2) Clerical amendments.--
(A) Section heading.--The heading of such section is
amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 373. Repayment of unearned portion of bonus, incentive
pay, or similar benefit, and termination of remaining
payments, when conditions of payment not met''.
(B) Table of contents.--The table of sections at the
beginning of chapter 5 of title 37, United States Code, is
amended by striking the item relating to section 373 and
inserting the following new item:
``373. Repayment of unearned portion of bonus, incentive pay, or
similar benefit, and termination of remaining payments,
when conditions of payment not met.''.
(d) Condition on Implementation.--The implementation by the
Secretary of Defense and the Secretary concerned (as defined
in section 101 of title 37, United States Code) of sections
303a(e) and 373 of such title, as amended by this section,
during fiscal year 2008 shall be subject to the availability
of funds for this purpose included in an appropriations Act
enacted on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
New Hampshire (Ms. Shea-Porter) and the gentleman from South Carolina
(Mr. Wilson) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from New Hampshire.
General Leave
Ms. SHEA-PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their
remarks on the resolution under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from New Hampshire?
There was no objection.
Ms. SHEA-PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might
consume.
Mr. Speaker, today the House has a unique opportunity to clarify the
law to protect the financial security of wounded veterans, their
families and the families of soldiers who have been killed in the line
of duty. As recently as last month, we have heard a number of cases in
the media suggesting that the Department of Defense has been requiring
soldiers wounded in combat to pay back part of their enlistment bonuses
if they hadn't yet served their full term, or even worse, that it would
require these benefits to be paid back by the grieving families of
soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
Quite simply, this is wrong. If a soldier signed up to serve our
country and is unable to serve out the full team of his or her
enlistment due to wounds received in the line of duty, this soldier
should not then be asked to return any part of their signing bonus. For
a soldier who has faced the hardships and battle and is now facing the
challenges of recovery, we should not add the additional burden of
paying back money that is rightfully theirs.
[[Page H15495]]
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3793, the Veterans Guaranteed Bonus Act of 2007,
ends the uncertainty about the policy and makes clear that this Nation
will never attempt to recoup bonuses and benefits from wounded veterans
or grieving families. It mandates that unpaid bonuses or similar
benefits are paid in full, and it requires that this financial
protection be provided not later than 90 days after the death of a
soldier or the departure from the military due to disability from all
active duty and Reserve component members.
Finally, the act establishes firm guidelines to ensure that the
military will act with fairness and equity when handling the question
of such bonuses for all servicemembers.
Mr. Speaker, I commend the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Altmire)
for his diligence and timely work on this sensitive issue and for his
commitment to bring this important legislation to the floor of the
House. I strongly support H.R. 3793, the Veterans Guaranteed Bonus Act
of 2007, and urge its immediate adoption.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I yield so much time as he
may consume to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Jones).
Mr. JONES of North Carolina. I thank the gentleman from South
Carolina.
Mr. Speaker, in July, the President's Commission on Care for
America's Returning Wounded Warriors reported that the Department of
Defense was applying a rule that enlistees who leave the service early
cannot receive their full enlistment bonus. The Commission was
confident that this rule was not intended to apply to servicemen and
women whose combat-related injuries forced them to leave the military.
At that point, the Commission received assurances from the Department
of Defense that this problem would be addressed. Today, the Congress
will ensure that the problem is addressed by passing H.R. 3793, the
Veterans Guaranteed Bonus Act of 2007.
As Americans, we should never break our promises to our veterans,
especially in time of war. To promise a significant amount of money to
a young American and then demand its return or refuse to continue
distribution when the man or woman is injured in combat and
subsequently discharged is unacceptable. In early October, I joined
Congressmen Altmire, Stearns and Murphy to remedy this problem.
Today, over 270 of our colleagues and 36 veterans organizations have
joined us to advance H.R. 3793, the Veterans Guaranteed Bonus Act of
2007. This legislation guarantees that no servicemember who dies or is
retired or separated for disability will be required to repay or
forfeit their bonus. We cannot thank our veterans enough for the
sacrifices they have made for our country. When our men and women come
home from war, the cost of an enlistment bonus is low compared to the
sacrifice that is made by our soldiers and Marines.
I am certain this House will pass H.R. 3793, the Veterans Guaranteed
Bonus Act of 2007.
Ms. SHEA-PORTER. I yield 5 minutes to my friend and colleague, the
original sponsor of this important piece of legislation, the gentleman
from Pennsylvania (Mr. Altmire).
Mr. ALTMIRE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the bill
we are debating today, H.R. 3793, the Veterans Guaranteed Bonus Act,
which I introduced.
This legislation will ensure that from this point forward, every
combat-wounded veteran injured in Afghanistan or Iraq receives their
full enlistment or reenlistment bonus. No longer will American
servicemen and women who have served our country so bravely and
honorably and have been injured in service to our country, no longer
will they be served with a bill to repay their enlistment bonus, and no
longer will those heroic men and women suffer the indignity of having
their prorated bonus payments cut off if those payments are to be made
in installments.
Instead, my bill, which we are debating today, says that the full
amounts due under the agreements and contracts that apply to a service
combat disability be paid within 90 days of the separation of the
servicemember. This legislation also applies to the family members and
estates of servicemen and women who are killed in combat.
This issue first came to my attention over the summer while reviewing
the Dole-Shalala Commission Report, an independent panel put into place
in the spring to investigate the disgraceful situation at Walter Reed
Army Medical Center. The Commission uncovered instances of our wounded
warriors being denied their bonuses after being injured in combat. And
after studying this issue in more detail and learning of other
documented instances of this injustice, on October 10, I introduced a
Veterans Guaranteed Bonus Act, which is now before us.
In the weeks after I introduced the bill, we continued to hear
multiple reports of cases around the country where servicemen and women
had been denied bonuses, including the high-profile case involving
Private Jordan Fox from my home area of western Pennsylvania. It has
become clear that these were not just isolated examples, but instead,
some of the hundreds and perhaps thousands of examples of veterans
being asked to return their bonuses or be denied the remaining portion
of their bonuses after being injured in service to our country.
And while some have made an issue of the expense of paying back these
bonuses, let me be clear: There is no group that should stand ahead of
our Nation's veterans when it comes time to making Federal funding
decisions. Some may argue that because these servicemen and women were
injured that they were unable to fulfill their contractual obligations
and therefore should be denied the remainder of their bonuses. I want
to be equally clear on this point. Members of our Armed Forces have
made every conceivable sacrifice for our country, and those who have
been injured in service to our country have more than fulfilled the
obligations of their service contract. Paying them the bonuses that
they have fought for and that they have earned is the very least we can
do to repay them for their bravery and their sacrifice.
Finally, I want to make clear that this is a bipartisan bill with
more than 270 cosponsors. I want to thank my colleagues on the other
side of the aisle, dozens of which have cosponsored this bill and some
of whom will speak in favor of it today. I especially want to thank my
colleagues, Mr. Stearns from Florida and Mr. Jones from North Carolina,
the lead Republican sponsors of this bill. They joined me in support of
this bill before it became a high-profile issue, and I thank them for
their leadership. I also want to single out two of my Democratic
colleagues, my lead Democratic cosponsor, Congressman Patrick Murphy
from my home State of Pennsylvania, an Iraq war veteran himself, and
Congressman Bart Stupak of Michigan who has fought as hard as any
Member of this House for the right of veterans to keep their enlistment
bonus.
Most importantly, I want to thank Chairman Ike Skelton for his
willingness to help bring this bill to the floor. Chairman Skelton's
amendment has made this a better bill, and I thank him for his support
and his continued leadership as chairman of the Armed Services
Committee.
Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in voting for the
Veterans Guaranteed Bonus Act before us today. I am sure that all my
colleagues in the House would agree that we in Congress must support
our troops with our actions and not just with our words. This bill will
ensure that every military veteran gets the bonuses they deserve.
During this holiday season when our thoughts and prayers are with the
brave servicemen and women serving overseas and their families here at
home, I can think of no greater tribute we can provide.
Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I yield so much time as he
may consume to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Broun).
Mr. BROUN of Georgia. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr.
Speaker, I rise in strong support today of H.R. 3793, the Veterans
Guaranteed Bonus Act of 2007.
As a former military officer and an enlisted marine, I take this
matter very seriously, and I am a very strong supporter of our troops
and their families. As Members of Congress, we have an obligation both
to stand up for our troops that have been disabled and have to leave
the military, as well as surviving families of soldiers who have
[[Page H15496]]
made the final sacrifice to protect our Nation and our freedom.
There is no greater insult to our wounded warriors and their families
who have sacrificed so much than to deny or revoke their bonus because
of a combat-related injury or death. This bill, the Veterans Guaranteed
Bonus Act of 2007, would guarantee that no servicemember who dies,
other than as a result of a member's misconduct, or is retired or
separated for disability will be required to repay any portion of a
bonus or similar benefit that they have received.
Mr. Speaker, the Federal Government has broken too many promises to
our veterans, and I consider that verging on criminality. We have an
opportunity today to support our veterans and to support our troops and
to fulfill a promise that was made to these veterans.
I urge all of my colleagues of the House to support this measure and
pass H.R. 3793, the Veterans Guaranteed Bonus Act of 2007.
{time} 1430
Ms. SHEA-PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to my friend and
colleague, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Stupak).
Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.
I rise in support of the Veterans Guaranteed Bonus Act of 2007.
Currently, when a servicemember is wounded in combat and cannot return
to duty, the Department of Defense allows each military branch to
determine, in their discretion, whether to pay a servicemember any
portion of a bonus still due to them. As a result, some members of the
Armed Forces, who have served their Nation bravely, sustaining severe
injuries, are not receiving their full bonus.
In the last month, I have written to the President on three occasions
urging him to immediately terminate this disgraceful policy. In
response, I received conflicting information from the Department of
Defense regarding this policy. Deputy Under Secretary William Carr
wrote me on December 12, in a letter, and he stated: ``The Army pays
all unpaid enlisted and re-enlistment bonus installments.'' Not true.
In conversations with the Department of the Army National Guard
Bureau, my staff has been told that instead of paying the full bonus
due, the Army prorates a soldier's bonus based on the number of months
the soldier served before their medical discharge. It's still unclear
as to what the policy is with the Army. This is why we need to enact a
Veterans Guaranteed Bonus Act. We need to establish a uniform
Department of Defense policy to ensure all outstanding bonuses are
promptly paid to our deserving heroes. Bonuses should be paid in full,
without question.
I was first alerted to this program by an Iraqi war veteran in my
district, Derek Gagne, from Wilson, Michigan. Derek, an Army National
Guardsman, had been denied the remainder of his bonus after suffering a
severe eye injury, losing part of his foot and his leg when his Humvee
struck an IED in Iraq. Only after numerous calls and questions from my
office is Derek now receiving his bonus. Our veterans should not need
to fight so hard for something they are entitled to.
I am pleased to join my colleague from Pennsylvania (Mr. Altmire) in
cosponsoring the Veterans Guaranteed Bonus Act. This bipartisan bill,
supported by over 200 Members of Congress, would require the Department
of Defense to establish a uniform policy which provides veterans who
are discharged from the military due to combat-related injuries or
service-connected injuries their full payment of any bonuses within 90
days of discharge.
This legislation should not be necessary. As Commander in Chief, the
President has the ability to correct this policy by requiring all
military branches to provide severely wounded members with their full
bonuses. This administration is quick to go to war, but slow to respond
to the needs of our veterans.
Our Nation must be committed to caring for and honoring our veterans
not just with words, but with deeds. Ensuring that our soldiers receive
the bonuses they were promised is the least we can do for those who put
their lives on the line to protect our freedoms.
Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time
as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3793, as amended, a bill
to ensure that military personnel who die or who are retired or
separated for medical reasons are paid their full enlistment or re-
enlistment bonuses and are not subject to repayment of any portion of
those bonuses.
Last month, media stories sparked outrage among Members of Congress
and citizens alike when they highlighted what appeared to be a
potentially widespread practice by the Army and Department of Defense.
Media reports stated that wounded servicemembers who could no longer
continue on active duty because of those wounds were being required to
repay portions of their enlistment or re-enlistment bonuses because
they had not fulfilled the terms of their contracts. In some cases, the
Army was cited as demanding repayment of thousands of dollars from
soldiers who, but for their wound or injuries in combat, continued to
serve the Army in this Nation honorably.
What the media failed to report completely was that the Department of
Defense and the military services had an active policy in place that
addressed this problem. The policy did the following: first, in cases
where a servicemember died, not at the result of his or her own
misconduct, the unpaid portions of an enlistment or re-enlistment bonus
would be paid to the servicemember's survivors, and there would be no
requirement to repay already paid bonuses.
Second, when the servicemember was unable to complete an enlistment
or re-enlistment due to circumstances reasonably beyond the service-
member's control, no already paid bonus would be recouped. Finally, the
Secretaries of the military services had broad discretion, on a case-
by-case basis, to forego recoupment and pay out unpaid portions of
bonuses.
H.R. 3793, as amended, captures and codifies the most effective parts
of the existing DOD policy, and goes beyond that policy. When enacted,
H.R. 3793 will guarantee that a servicemember who dies or is retired or
separated for medical disability will not be required to pay any
portion of a bonus or similar benefit that they had received. It
mandates that the full contracted amount of any unpaid bonus or similar
benefit be paid, as appropriate, to the estates of servicemembers who
die or to servicemembers who are retired or separated due to a
disability. And it mandates that payments are to be made not later than
90 days after the death, retirement, or separation of the
servicemember.
Additionally, if a service Secretary determines that requiring
repayment or withholding payment of the unpaid bonus would be contrary
to a personnel policy or management objective, against equity and good
conscience, or be contrary to the best interests of the United States,
then they would be allowed to waive repayment or to continue payment of
unpaid bonuses. Discretion should be allowed for the most beneficial
interpretation in favor of our courageous servicemembers.
H.R. 3793 is a good bill, and I urge all my colleagues to join me in
supporting it. Our servicemen and -women deserve our most humble
thanks, and this bill would ensure that we are honoring their
sacrifices by not denying them or their families their due pay.
In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget
September 11th.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. SHEA-PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to my friend and
colleague, the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern).
Mr. McGOVERN. I want to thank the gentlelady from New Hampshire for
yielding me the time, and I appreciate her work on behalf of veterans
and their families. I would also like to recognize my colleague from
Pennsylvania, Representative Altmire, for championing this important
legislation.
Mr. Speaker, a little over a month ago we celebrated Veterans Day and
were reminded of the men and women who have served our Nation and
continue to wear our country's uniform. These brave men and women have
volunteered for service with the assurances of health care and benefits
for
[[Page H15497]]
them and their families. But despite entering into this solemn pledge,
far too often our government has unfairly shortchanged our veterans.
With our readiness levels considered to be reaching all-time lows,
our military has been attracting recruits via monetary incentives. The
Department of Defense has been offering signing bonuses to soldiers in
order to entice candidates for longer enlistment periods. But in too
many cases, our wounded warriors are having their payments cut short
or, in some instances, entirely taken away. Soldiers who sustain a
combat-related injury and cannot serve out the entirety of their
enlistment period are being forced to return part of or all of their
bonuses. That is flat wrong. This is a shameful practice that is unjust
and in no way reflects how our Nation's heroes ought to be treated.
H.R. 3793, the Veterans Guaranteed Bonus Act, remedies this unfair
practice by requiring the DOD to uphold their part of the deal and
fully pay all bonuses to veterans medically discharged due to combat-
related wounds. Injuries sustained on the battlefield which prevent a
soldier from completing their enlistment period should not be treated
like some type of breach of contract. It is reprehensible to ask our
wounded warriors to pay back any bonuses afforded them, as they have
already sacrificed an amount for which no price can be named.
Mr. Speaker, I stand in strong support of H.R. 3793 and encourage my
colleagues to support its passage.
Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of
my time.
Ms. SHEA-PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to my friend and
colleague, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Carney).
Mr. CARNEY. Mr. Speaker, I, too, rise today in strong support of H.R.
3793, the Veterans Guaranteed Bonus Act. As a lieutenant commander
still serving in the U.S. Navy Reserve, I know full well the hardships
and dangers our troops face.
Our country has made a promise to these brave men and women; and this
promise simply states that if you protect us and defend our freedom, we
will provide you with the benefits you have earned. Unfortunately, that
is not happening right now. These brave men and women and their
families deserve their bonuses, especially if they were killed or
wounded in action.
The Veterans Guarantee Bonus Act ensures our soldiers will get the
money they deserve and earned, and it does so in a timely manner. I
applaud Congressman Altmire's leadership on this issue, and I urge all
Members of Congress who care about our troops and the sacrifices they
make to vote in favor of this legislation.
Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of
my time.
Ms. SHEA-PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to my friend and
colleague, the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Yarmuth).
Mr. YARMUTH. Mr. Speaker, we have spent much of this year uncovering
and correcting shortfalls in this country's treatment of our uniformed
heroes. Reversing negligence is one thing, but today we address the
reprehensible and willful act of docking a soldier's pay for being
injured while answering the call of duty. This literally is our
government adding insult to injury.
These men and women left their homes and families, they paid with
their time, bodies, and health for the security of our fellow citizens.
Without them, we are defenseless. Thanks to them, we are the most
powerful Nation in the world.
To save the injured, that is not enough, and to ask them to pay once
more is shameful at best. They volunteered to become part-time and
full-time professional soldiers out of love of this country, and it is
high time our leaders started to show some gratitude. We owe them the
best medical care, respect, honor, forthrightness, and, at the very
least, we owe them the payment they were promised.
I urge my colleagues to restore honor to our injured heroes and, in
so doing, restore honor to the Nation they fight for by supporting the
Veterans Guaranteed Bonus Act.
Mrs. TAUSCHER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3792,
introduced by my good friend, Representative Altmire. This bill ensures
that we keep our promises to our wounded soldiers who are injured in
the line of duty by guaranteeing they receive full payment of their
bonuses. Department of Defense rules deny enlistees their full
enlistment bonus if they don't fulfill their entire military
obligation. Members who were injured in combat and forced to retire or
separate from the Armed Services before the end of their service
commitment are forced to pay back the Department of Defense or do not
receive the remaining portion of the bonus owed to them. This important
legislation corrects this injustice and ensures that service members
are not being financially penalized for their injuries after their
patriotic duty to and sacrifice for their country. It comforts me
knowing that Democrats are being elected to Congress who know and
understand the problems that their constituents face and that they
aren't wasting any time introducing bills that correct them. For that I
commend Representative Altmire and his leadership in Congress on
veterans' health care.
Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance
of my time.
Ms. SHEA-PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentlewoman from New Hampshire (Ms. Shea-Porter) that the House suspend
the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3793, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Ms. SHEA-PORTER. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
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