H9090 — HOUSE October 1, 2003 or affect the Federal Reserve Board’s ability CALLING ON REPUBLICAN LEAD- in fiscal year 2004 to cover the 400,000 under its pricing principles to determine ERSHIP TO BRING H.R. 303, A eligible veterans. It is incredible that what constitutes a major service category. BILL TO END CONCURRENT RE- the opponents would offer such a poor The House recedes to the Senate on a funds CEIPT, TO THE OF THE excuse for why they refuse even to availability study. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES bring this bill to the floor. EVALUATION AND REPORT BY THE COMPTROLLER GENERAL The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under b 1745 the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- House Bill Give me a break. uary 7, 2003, the gentlewoman from The House bill contains no similar provi- Mr. Speaker and Members, the Bush California (Ms. WATERS) is recognized sion. administration has spent almost $80 for 60 minutes as the designee of the billion in Iraq and Afghanistan and is Senate Amendment minority leader. Section 16 of the Senate amendment pro- Ms. WATERS. Madam Speaker, I rise seeking a supplemental appropriation vides for the Comptroller General of the this afternoon to talk about an issue of of $87 billion for the war in Iraq and to evaluate the implementa- fundamental unfairness which burdens Iraqi reconstruction. Yet, the adminis- tion and administration of this bill within 5 many of our veterans: concurrent re- tration will not seek the resources re- years. ceipt. I organized this Special Order to quired to protect the retirement pay of Conference Agreement focus attention on the unfairness of the veterans who had the misfortune of be- The House recedes to the Senate. concurrent receipt law and to give coming disabled while serving their DEPOSITARY SERVICES EFFICIENCY AND COST Members the opportunity to demand country. What a cruel, sick joke. These REDUCTION that the Republican leadership bring to veterans earn their retirement pay, House Bill the floor H.R. 303, the bill that would and they deserve both a full retirement benefit and their disability compensa- The House bill contains no similar provi- end concurrent receipt. sion. Madam Speaker, today we will hear tion. We must not walk away from our ob- Senate Amendment Democratic Members from districts throughout the Nation call for an end ligations. How can we put a price on The Senate amendment contains no simi- the service that these men and women lar provision. of concurrent receipt. Concurrent re- gave to our country? How can we put a Conference Agreement. ceipt is a Civil War-era law that pre- vents disabled veterans from receiving price on going through life without a The Conference Agreement includes langue limb or without the ability to see or requested by the Department of Treasury both military retirement and veterans disability benefits. Under the law, for hear? They did their job with bravery which authorizes the Treasury Department and dedication. Now, we must do ours. to directly compensate financial institutions every dollar that a veteran receives in that provide depositary services to the Fed- disability pay, $1 is taken away from The Federal Government should pro- eral Government. their retirement pay. The effect of the vide full benefits to veterans who pro- Additionally, the Conference Agreement concurrent receipt law is to tax a vet- tected our people. Simple fairness and includes language requested by Federal Re- eran for being injured while serving in decency requires it. serve Board to effect technical changes to the military. This is an extremely un- Because of the opposition of the Re- the Federal Reserve Act in the way currency fair burden that we place on our publican leadership to this bill, Demo- is collateralized which will allow for greater crats have had to file a discharge peti- liquidity in case of a national emergency. wounded veterans. Madam Speaker, America’s veterans tion in an attempt to bring H.R. 303 to EFFECTIVE DATE have made huge sacrifices in order to the floor and force consideration of House Bill protect our freedoms. We should not this bill. A successful discharge peti- Section 15 establishes the effective date as repay their sacrifice by denying them tion requires 218 signatures. To date, 18 months after the date of enactment. the benefits they have earned and de- however, even though H.R. 303 has 370 Senate Amendment serve. Congress must repeal the con- cosponsors, there are only 203 signa- Section 18 establishes the effective date as current receipt law. tures on the discharge petition. 12 months after the date of enactment. Over the past several years, there has Nearly every Democrat has signed Conference Agreement been a strong bipartisan effort to re- the discharge petition, but only two The House recedes to the Senate. peal this law. In this Congress, the bill Republicans have signed. Because of For consideration of the House bill and the to repeal concurrent receipt, H.R. 303, the opposition of the Republican lead- Senate amendment, and modifications com- has 370 cosponsors. The gentleman ership, not even Congressman BILI- mitted to conference: from Florida (Mr. BILIRAKIS), a long- RAKIS, the of H.R. 303, has MICHAEL G. OXLEY, time Republican Member, is a sponsor signed the discharge petition. SPENCER BACHUS, of H.R. 303. Madam Speaker, 370 co- Mr. Speaker, it is shameful that the STEVEN C. LATOURETTE, sponsors is an extraordinary number of Republican leadership has strong- MELISSA A. HART, armed their Members into not sup- PATRICK J. TIBERI, cosponsors for any bill. As all of us BARNEY FRANKS, know, there are few bills introduced in porting the discharge petition on H.R. HAROLD E. FORD, JR., this body that have 370 cosponsors. 303 and prevented the Congress from Managers on the Part of the House. There are even fewer bills that do not providing this essential relief to our veterans. RICHARD C. SHELBY, come to the floor for action by Mem- ROBERT F. BENNETT, bers of the House. The Republican leadership’s unfair WAYNE ALLARD, Yet despite this tremendous bipar- and outrageous refusal to bring H.R. PAUL S. SARBANES, tisan support, the House Republican 303 to the floor for action is harming TIM JOHNSON, leadership, as well as the White House, our veterans and keeping many vet- Managers on the Part of the Senate. has refused to support this bill. In fact, erans from obtaining a decent quality The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a the Secretary of Defense has said that of life. Unfortunately, there are hun- previous order of the House, the gen- he would recommend that the Presi- dreds of thousands of veterans suf- tleman from New York (Mr. TOWNS) is dent any legislation that includes fering under the concurrent receipt recognized for 5 minutes. language which would eliminate con- law. Because the United States mili- Mr. TOWNS addressed the House. His current receipt. The House Republican tary is committed to missions through- remarks will appear hereafter in the leadership continues to ignore the will out the world that will result in addi- Extensions of Remarks.) of the Members, and our constituents, tional veterans becoming disabled, the The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a and refuses even to allow H.R. 303 to number of veterans who will be sub- previous order of the House, the gentle- come to the floor for action. jected to this tax will only grow. woman from New York (Mrs. MALONEY) The opponents of this bill say that it Unfortunately, this is only one of the is recognized for 5 minutes. will cost too much money. They cite a many policies that this administration (Mrs. MALONEY. addressed the study from the Congressional Budget and the Republican party have adopted House. Her remarks will appear here- Office which estimates that it would which harms our veterans. For exam- after in the Extensions of Remarks.) cost the Federal Government $3 billion ple, although it is not uncommon for a

VerDate jul 14 2003 03:28 Oct 02, 2003 Jkt 029060 PO 00000 Frm 00056 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A01OC7.037 H01PT1 October 1, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9091 veteran to wait 6 months or more to grams are not more important than is a budget buster, they see absolutely see a doctor, the Republicans’ budget health care for America’s veterans. no problem of giving away approxi- did not provide enough funding to What kind of message does this sent mately $90 billion over that same pe- shorten these waiting periods. to our veterans and our troops cur- riod to 184,000 people in this country Mr. Speaker, it is disappointing to rently in the field when the President that are making $1 million or more per see the President constantly using our tells them that paying for Iraqis to go year. The hypocrisy of that is shock- veterans for photo-ops, but when it to graduate school is more important ing. It is galling, and it is shameful. comes to providing the necessary fund- than paying for veteran’s health care? The other body is doing the right ing to give our veterans a good quality We are talking about men and women thing. In its version of the fiscal year of life, the Republicans are nowhere to who fought for America, who were 2004 Defense authorization legislation, be found. wounded for America, who have lost the Senate has provided for full and We, Democrats, have another way. friends who have died for America. But immediate disability payments with- We appreciate the sacrifice that all when the time comes to pay their out any offset from the military retire- veterans have made and believe that health bills, America’s purse is shot. ment benefit to which they are enti- the government must provide the nec- This is worse than irresponsible. It is tled. That is doing the right thing. essary funding for veterans to receive downright dishonorable. Mr. Speaker, we can do the right the medical, educational, and other President Bush said last year that thing in this House. We can stand up benefits they need and deserve. We par- every country around the world, and I for the veterans against the Republican ticularly appreciate the men and quote him, ‘‘is either with us or leadership, Mr. Speaker, and against women who were injured while serving against us,’’ unquote. Our veterans de- the administration, and say we are their country and believe we should serve to ask the same question. ‘‘Mr. going to do the right thing. We are provide them with their full retirement President, are you with America’s vet- fighting to pass bipartisan legislation benefits, as well as their full disability erans or against them? Will you fight on this side, H.R. 303, the Retired Pay compensation. for them the way they are fighting for Restoration Act, to help the more than Mr. Speaker, I urge this body to pass you?’’ 700,000 disabled veterans who are mili- H.R. 303 and help our disabled veterans. Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to tary retirees. Mr. Speaker, I yield time to the gen- the gentleman from Texas (Mr. We believe on this side that it is im- tlewoman from California (Ms. WOOL- SANDLIN). portant that our disabled military re- SEY). Mr. SANDLIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise tirees receive both the disability pay Ms. WOOLSEY. Madam Speaker, I today to ask several questions. Why and retirement pay that they have thank the gentlewoman from Cali- does the Republican leadership in this earned and that they deserve. It is crit- fornia (Ms. WATERS) for calling this House want to put an additional tax on ical for the administration to stop pe- special order together because it is a our veterans? Why does the Republican nalizing our disabled veterans at the very important subject. leadership in this House oppose elimi- very time we have our military in Today in Iraq, our Nation is creating nating the disabled veterans tax? Why harm’s way. We have to stop penalizing more than 130,000 veterans. These fu- is it okay to eliminate taxes for mil- disabled veterans, if we are going to ture veterans are fulfilling their duty lionaires in this country, our most fulfill our commitment to those who to America in a time of war. We must privileged, but not eliminate tax for served the country. Let us respect our commit to fulfill our own responsibil- our veterans? Why is that, Mr. Speak- veterans. Let us do the right thing and ities to them in times of peace. er? Why? give our veterans what they have Three hundred and seventy Members Mr. Speaker, as you know, under cur- earned. of the House of Representatives are on rent law, disabled American veterans Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to record supporting a concurrent receipt who are entitled to military retirement the gentleman from North Dakota (Mr. bill to provide full health and retire- benefits have their retirement benefits POMEROY). ment benefits for our Nation’s vet- reduced dollar for dollar by the amount Mr. POMEROY. Mr. Speaker, I thank erans, but when the time came to actu- they receive in disability payments. the gentlewoman from California (Ms. ally bring this important legislation Now, they earn their military retire- WATERS) and my colleagues for orga- before the House of Representatives for ment, and they earn disability pay. nizing this very important special a vote, 201 Democrats and only two Re- However, these amounts are all set order, because I believe the informa- publicans signed their names to bring against each other. tion brought forward in this debate the bill to the floor of the House. It Why does the Republican leadership will be of great surprise to most of the takes 218 names and signatures in and the administration support such a people that might happen to listen to order to force the majority party to situation for our veterans in this coun- this discussion. Certainly, the people I bring this issue before us. try? represent in North Dakota, I believe, Concurrent receipt should not be a Military retirees and veterans with are largely unaware of the fact that Democrat issue, and it should not be a service-connected disabilities are the we, essentially, have a disabled vet- Republican issue. Instead, this is an only Federal employees subject to this erans tax. issue of fulfilling our commitment to offset and are essentially funding their This tax is imposed when you have those who have proven their commit- own disability benefits. They are fund- someone that has earned a military re- ment to us, to our Nation’s veterans. ing their disability with their own tirement and on the other hand also The White House has estimated the money that they earned serving this had a disability payment from service health and retirement benefits for our country. As a result, the disabled vet- in the military as a result of a service- veterans will cost $58 billion over the erans tax, that is supported by the ad- connected injury resulting in perma- next 10 years. That is $6 billion a year ministration and the Republican lead- nent disability. The disabled veterans to support the troops who have sac- ership, subjects our Nation’s veterans tax occurs when you have a 100 percent rificed for this country. to worse treatment than any other reduction of the retirement benefit by This is the same President that re- class of Federal retirees, bar none. the disability payment receipt. cently came to the Congress requesting The Bush administration contends So let me make it simple. The in- $87 billion to pay for our war in Iraq that allowing military veterans to jured veteran receiving a disability that he announced many months ago draw their earned benefits is too cost- payment would, upon retiring from the had ended. The President’s $87 billion ly, and it competes with funding that military, have their military retire- supplemental request includes money we need for other very important mat- ment reduced 100 percent by the for museums and memorials in Iraq, ra- ters, such as tax cuts for millionaires. amount of the disability payment. dios and phones for Iraqi businesses, A dollar is a dollar. While the Repub- Now, if that is not a disabled veterans and computer training and graduate lican leadership has concluded that de- tax, I do not know what is. And it is school for Iraqi citizens. Certainly, we voting $58 billion over 10 years to re- completely unacceptable. There is not must invest in restoring the stability lieve an unconscionable burden for another classification of Federal em- in a war-torn country, but these pro- nearly 700,000 of our Nation’s veterans ployee treated in this fashion. There is

VerDate jul 14 2003 03:28 Oct 02, 2003 Jkt 029060 PO 00000 Frm 00057 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K01OC7.114 H01PT1 H9092 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE October 1, 2003 not a civil service employee upon get- tions about it, all you have to do is ask Right now, this Congress is faced ting their Federal retirement that the veterans organizations so capably with the ability to finally deliver would have their Federal retirement representing the veterans in your dis- meaningful concurrent receipt legisla- reduced by their military disability. trict. Ask your American Legion com- tion to the President. We need only a Only those who have made a career of mander what he thinks of this matter. few more signatures on the discharge distinction and honor in serving our Ask the Veterans of Foreign Wars com- petition to bring the Retired Pay Res- military have their retirement reduced mander what they think of this mat- toration Act to the House floor. I urge 100 percent in the value of the dis- ter. Ask the Disabled Veterans of my colleagues to sign this petition and ability benefit received. America in your district what they take us a step closer to overturning We have to change this bill. This is a think of this matter. That will quickly this inequity. law that is on the books that is having bring you to the conclusion that it is Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentle- a pernicious and unfair effect on our time for this tax to end. It is time for woman for bringing this forward. veterans. We need to act and we need this House to have some democracy on Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to to act now. this question. It is time for us to vote the gentleman from California (Mr. I commend the Republican sponsor of on getting the veterans the relief they FILNER). the legislation that wants to address need and they so richly deserve. Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I thank this for bringing this before the Cham- I thank the gentlewoman for letting the gentlewoman from California (Ms. ber. I am certainly pleased to partici- me participate in this discussion. WATERS) for taking the leadership on pate. It ought to be bipartisan, if any- Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to this, as she has done on so many issues thing before us should be bipartisan. the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. in this Congress. DAVIS). I want to add my voice to urge all of b 1800 Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speak- our colleagues to listen to the voice of Unfortunately, we have seen major- er, I rise today to urge this body to se- our veterans. Find it in your hearts ity leadership refuse to bring this mat- riously consider our treatment of those once and for all, this unjust disabled ter up for a vote. In fact, notwith- who sacrificed nearly everything for veterans tax. standing the very strong support re- our country. I am referring to Amer- A resident of my congressional dis- flected by the number of cosponsors, as ica’s disabled veterans and the archaic trict, the 51st in California, in San reflected by the number of signatures law that prevents them from receiving Diego, named Miguel Gonzalez, was on the discharge petition, we have seen both their retirement pension and dis- wounded in service and declared eligi- them refuse to allow us for a vote. ability compensation, two payments ble for VA disability compensation. Is it not ironic that as we seek to ad- that they earned. After retiring from the military, he vance this very important relief for our Unfortunately, across our Nation, was also entitled to his retired pay, as hundreds of thousands of veterans are veterans, we are not even allowed a every American is entitled to their re- denied their full retirement pay be- vote on this matter? Our veterans are tired pay. But unlike every other Fed- cause we have yet to correct a sense- fighting, have fought, for democracy; eral employee, Mr. Speaker, for every less law passed 112 years ago. In Cali- our soldiers today are fighting for de- dollar that he receives in his disability fornia’s 53rd Congressional District, a mocracy, and yet when it comes to this compensation, he gives back to the district that I am very proud to rep- important question, the majority lead- government a dollar from his retire- resent, 2,659 disabled veterans collec- ership is not allowing democracy in ment. What an unfair and demoralizing tively lose out on $13 million in VA this House because they are not allow- tax on the brief bravest and best in our ing us to vote on this proposition. benefits each year. Since coming to Congress, I have Nation. In order to bust through this dead- heard from my veterans and I can tell Today this tax is especially galling lock imposed by the majority leader- you many of them struggle to get by as we ask and expect our young men ship, we have brought forward a dis- each month because our government and women to fight the threats of ter- charge petition which has now been withholds so much from their pensions. rorism. There has recently been an up- signed by 203 Members of the House, in- Please understand, Mr. Speaker, we are roar, justifiably, about the charge that cluding two Republican Members, all of talking about the brave men and wounded servicemembers were billed the Democratic Members and two Re- women who sustained the most severe for their hospital bills as they lay re- publican Members. injuries to defend this Nation and to covering from their wounds. They got a I would ask the majority leadership protect our liberties. bill for the food while they were in the if at least you will not allow us a vote, Take, for example, a 69-year-old Air hospital. for goodness sake, discharge your Force lieutenant colonel from San I cannot see any difference between members. Let them vote their con- Diego who has a 100 percent disability that case and the case we are talking science by signing a discharge petition rating from exposure to Agent Orange about this evening, except that the dis- and bringing it to the floor over your during the Vietnam War. After 28 years abled veterans tax costs our expressed wishes to the contrary. Let of dedication, he retired only to learn servicemembers much more than the them serve their constituents on this that it was true. His hard-earned re- hospital bill that we were so upset by. one, not the majority leadership. Let tirement pay would be offset dollar for Why were we expecting the young men them represent the veterans in their dollar from his disability compensa- and women who spent the better part districts that are having their benefits tion. This proud veteran wrote me just of their lives in service to their coun- unfairly taxed by the Federal Govern- recently and told me that he has fi- try to pay for their own retirement? It ment. nally given up on this government. He does not make sense, and it is an insult Finally, if that is too much to ask, if has communicated with his elected to these veterans. it is too much to ask to bring this to a leaders about this inequity ever since Last year we passed this concurrent vote, if it is too much to ask to allow he retired, and unfortunately, he has receipt in the House and in the Senate, majority leadership to discharge their been told the same thing over and over and in a secret conference Members, to sign a discharge petition, again. Do not worry. Legislation is backed by the President of the United then I would say to my friends in the pending. We will pass concurrent re- States it was removed. The will of the majority, on this one you have to stand ceipt soon and take care of this for Congress, the will of the American peo- with your people irrespective of your you. ple was frustrated by a secret meeting leadership. Come up to the well. Sign Well, Mr. Speaker, it has been 17 of a few people in concert with the the discharge petition. You have vet- years since he retired and nothing has White House. erans who are having their retirement been done. It is time to show our dis- Now we are trying a new process: 200 benefits reduced and reduced unfairly, abled veterans that we value the in- of our colleagues have signed the dis- reduced for suffering a service-con- credible sacrifice they made and are charge petition, a process to get this to nected disability. This must end. making for us. It is time to repeal the the floor in spite of the leadership’s un- If your leadership cannot see that, disabled veterans tax and end this mis- willingness to do so. We can get, with surely you can. And if you have ques- treatment once and for all. 218 signatures, we can move this bill

VerDate jul 14 2003 03:28 Oct 02, 2003 Jkt 029060 PO 00000 Frm 00058 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K01OC7.116 H01PT1 October 1, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9093 from the committee where it is stalled, disabled veterans tax. To make up for Democratic colleagues have signed to the full House of Representatives for that loss of income, his wife, instead of what we call a discharge petition. a vote. We know it will pass, 370 mem- being able to cut back on her hours so When the leadership of this House re- bers of this body have already signed that she could care for him, instead she fuses to bring a bill to the floor, we on to it. A lot of them do not seem to had to work overtime just to make have a mechanism called the discharge have the courage to sign the discharge ends meet at home. petition, and if we can get 218 Members petition and that should not even be But as unfair as this tax is to our dis- of this House to sign that petition, that necessary. abled military retirees, what is more bill comes to the floor automatically. It is shameful that we must resort to shocking, what is more unconscionable How many have signed this discharge such a means to get a vote on this bill is the Republican leadership that will petition? Two hundred and three Mem- which would end this disabled veterans not let us vote on this legislation that bers have signed this petition. We need tax. would correct this long-standing in- 218 signatures to bring the bill to the We are told that this bill will cost equity. floor. How many Republicans have money. What does not? But it is a mat- There are over 300 cosponsors of H.R. signed this petition? Only two. Two ter of priorities. We are willing to give 303 which would eliminate the disabled hundred and one Democrats have our troops everything for their fighting veterans tax. And more than 200 mem- signed the petition, only two Members in Iraq, now it is $87 billion for the bers of Congress have signed the dis- of the Republican party. I am proud to next few months, but why are we not charge petition to force H.R. 303 onto say that every Democrat from the willing to give them all they need when the floor for a vote. State of Ohio has signed this petition, they return home? What is our highest Mr. Speaker, the Republican leader- and I am disappointed that not a single priority if not caring for our Nation’s ship says they support veterans and Republican from the State of Ohio has veterans? It seems to be tax cuts for they say they support ending the dis- signed the discharge petition. the wealthiest of us all. abled veterans tax, yet they refuse to Why are they not signing the peti- We must send a message to the men do what is right for veterans and bring tion? I suspect it is because their lead- and women who right this moment are H.R. 303 to the floor for a vote. ership is telling them that they better fighting in Iraq. They did not hesitate I invite my colleagues on the other had not, they better had not buck the when called to duty. Many are serving side of the aisle to stand up and take leadership, there is a price to pay if much longer than anticipated. Some care of the folks back home. The Re- they go against the leadership. Who are are returning home with disabilities publican leadership must put this bill we here to represent, the leadership of that they will have to live with for the on the floor for a vote. We should the Republican party or the men and rest of their life. honor the commitments that we made women, especially the disabled vet- What kind of nation are we? We must to those who fought and are currently erans, who have voted for us and sent tell them that we value their service fighting around the world for our great us to represent them in this Chamber? and that we value them. We must let Nation. People listening may think, well, them know that their Nation will Support for our veterans is more this is just a Democrat harangue honor them, not just in word, but in than rousing rhetoric. It is more than a against the Republicans, this is just a deed. Service-connected military retir- photo op. It is doing what is fair and partisan issue, but I have, here in my ees, I think we all know, have earned moral to fulfill our duties and promises hands, a news release that was sent out their retirement pay. They deserve to them. We owe it to our veterans to by the national veterans’ groups. I will their disability compensation. Let us keep our word, and Congress must take tell my colleagues who they are: The not make them wait any longer for jus- action to end this unfair tax on our AMVETS, the Disabled American Vet- tice to prevail. We must end the dis- veterans. We must take action now. erans, the Military Order of the Purple abled veterans tax. Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to Heart, the Paralyzed Veterans of Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. STRICK- America, the Vietnam Veterans of the gentlewoman from Nevada (Ms. LAND). America. They put a heading on their Mr. STRICKLAND. Mr. Speaker, I BERKLEY). press release that is pretty strong. want to thank my friend from Cali- Ms. BERKLEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank They say, Congress declares war the gentlewoman from California (Ms. fornia (Ms. WATERS) for yielding to me. We are talking about ending the dis- against disabled veterans, and I would WATERS) for organizing this special abled veterans tax. Now, there may be like to share with my colleagues just order. people listening or watching who do some of the things these national rep- Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss not fully understand what we mean resentatives of the veterans have said an issue that is very important to the when we say disabled veterans tax. in their press release. veterans that I represent. In my dis- They begin by saying, The House ma- Well, let me just explain it briefly. trict, Las Vegas, Nevada, I hear from We know that disabled military retir- jority leadership has shown callous veterans every day regarding the dis- ees are the only Federal employees contempt for the sacrifices of Amer- abled veterans tax. forced to pay for their own disability. ica’s defenders by attempting to im- Las Vegas has one of the fastest Dollar for dollar they have got to give pose overly restrictive conditions that growing veterans populations in the up their pension benefits in order to would limit benefits for disabilities country, and about 2,500 of these brave collect their disability benefits. We from military service. That is what veterans lose military retirement bene- know that over 600,000, maybe some of these organizations say. fits due to this unjust tax. Each of They continue, An untold number of them are watching today, 600,000 dis- these individuals who was disabled due men and women will return from Iraq abled veterans across this country, to service to our Nation loses thou- and the war on terror with disabilities. 10,000 disabled veterans in my State of sands of dollars every year. That is The military and veterans’ organiza- Ohio, are paying millions of dollars thousands of dollars that can cover tions worry that many of them will not every year because of this tax that we their health care costs, enable them to be able to directly identify or prove the are trying to eliminate. support their families, pay their rents, We know that the administration and origin of their ailments, but that cer- buy food and improve the quality of the President himself, the President tainly does not mean that they should their lives. cannot escape this issue. be ignored. Any suggestion to the con- Under this unfair tax, disabled vet- trary is outrageous and shameful, they erans who retire from the military lose b 1815 say. $1 from their military retirement pay The Bush administration has told Then they conclude their press re- for every dollar they receive for a serv- Congress that if we pass legislation to lease by saying, Our Nation is engaged ice-connected disability. When a re- eliminate this unfair disabled veterans’ in a war with a hostile enemy that tired Marine Corps major from Nevada tax, that the President will veto the would willingly kill innocent civilians. was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s dis- legislation. Yet it seems that some members of our ease, he lost more than $2,000 in So what is Congress going to do? government would shortchange those monthly retirement pay because of the What are we going to do? Most of my who protect us.

VerDate jul 14 2003 03:28 Oct 02, 2003 Jkt 029060 PO 00000 Frm 00059 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K01OC7.118 H01PT1 H9094 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE October 1, 2003 They continue, Disabled veterans Here we are again, in yet another I rise to ask why? Why are we not should not have to fight their own gov- Congress, with concurrent receipts giving our veterans what they deserve? ernment for the benefits they have locked up in committee since January Time and time again we are reminded earned. In a callous effort to limit gov- of this year, a full nine months ago. of the great sacrifices made by this Na- ernment’s obligations to our former, Our actions are not matching our tion’s veterans. These are people who current and future defenders, authors words. Veterans’ groups and individ- sacrificed their lives for our lives, for of the provision in the Defense author- uals across the country and in my our country, for our rights and free- ization bill took it upon themselves to home district, the 2nd Congressional doms. rewrite the law regarding benefits for District of Maryland, have told me I am honored to represent a large disabled veterans. that passing H.R. 303 is one of their top amount of veterans, and now they need That is what the national veterans’ priorities. They want it sooner rather our help, but unfortunately, the House organizations are saying. This is not than later, and frankly, they deserve Republican leadership is turning its just a Democratic attack upon the Re- it. back on our veterans. publican leadership or upon the Presi- We seem to understand this on this Currently, there is an outmoded and dent. We can solve this problem quick- side of the aisle, but we do not have the unfair system dating back to the Civil ly. If we just had a few more Repub- power to report it out of committee. War of compensation for disabled vet- licans who would walk down here to We do not have the power to bring it to erans who are retired from the mili- the well of the House and put their sig- the floor, and we do not have the ma- tary. Under current law, veterans who natures on this discharge petition, jority to pass it, but with 366 cospon- are entitled to both a retirement ben- within a matter of hours that bill sors, that should not matter. efit for the military service and serv- would be brought to this floor, and we So my Democratic colleague from ice-connected disability compensation could end the disabled veterans’ tax. Georgia filed a motion to discharge the are not able to receive both retirement Probably a lot of veterans are watch- bill to bring it to the floor. The entire and disability payments. This is an ing today or families of veterans or Democratic Caucus has signed that pe- outrage. I do not understand. Here we just simply Americans who care about tition, and as of today, two Repub- are Representatives in this House, we veterans. I think it is fair for me to licans have signed on. Could someone are talking about spending $87 billion point out that President Bush is will- please explain to me 366 cosponsors and on a war and our young men and ing to spend millions in Iraq to develop only 203 signatures to discharge? What women are over in Iraq fighting for our a ZIP code system, but he is not will- is going on? freedoms, and yet we will not take care I have heard that the majority lead- ing to spend for America’s veterans. He of the great veterans that have already ership in the House and Senate are con- is willing to spend millions building preserved this for us. sidering offering some version of con- roads in Iraq, but he is neglecting to H.R. 303, the concurrent receipt bill current receipts in the Department of provide for our veterans. He is willing and/or ending disability veterans’ tax, Defense authorization. Some would to spend millions to build hospitals and has over 370 Members. I know down prefer to wait for that option. I ask clinics in Iraq, but he is unwilling to here in Washington I have learned an them, how much longer must we make support eliminating this disabled vet- awful lot. Usually, one would think if our veterans wait when the language erans’ tax. we had 370 people on a bill, it is going the veterans support, the bill they We need to get our priorities right, to fly through. That means 370 people, want, has already been introduced, has and I hope the people in this country Representatives from across the coun- already been referred to committee and start letting the Members of this House try, agree bipartisanly this is some- is ready for a vote and that is H.R. 303? who are unwilling to sign this dis- The veterans’ disability tax or con- thing that we should be doing. Yet, we charge petition know how they feel current receipts, whatever one likes to cannot bring it up on the House floor. about it. Every Member of this House call it, has been a partisan football in The Republican leadership refuses to who goes back to their Districts this the political game for a while now. I bring it onto the floor. There is a discharge petition, which a weekend should be confronted with vet- cannot comment on that, I am a fresh- erans saying, sir or ma’am, have you man, and this is my first try for the lot of people that are listening to this signed the discharge petition, and if end zone on this bill. Whether Demo- might not understand. If we cannot get you have not, why not? crats or Republicans win or lose in this a bill through committee to be talked Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to game, the veterans do need our help. about and onto the floor, we have a the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Our citizens, who served and sacrificed right to try and get Members to sign a RUPPERSBERGER). for freedom we enjoy every day, de- discharge petition so that we are forced Mr. RUPPERSBERGER. Mr. Speak- serve better. If the majority leadership to bring it onto the floor. We have 203 er, I thank the gentlewoman for yield- is serious about that issue, then let us signatures; we need more. And our vet- ing to me. just bring H.R. 303 to the floor and vote erans out there, please write their Con- Mr. Speaker, this issue goes beyond on it. They control the agenda, and gressman, e-mail them, tell them this politics. I sincerely respect and honor they can bring it to the floor today, is what they need. the active and retired members of our right now. The Republican leadership does not Armed Forces, as well as their fami- Are words of respect enough? Should want to bring the bill to the floor for a lies. I believe they deserve the respect we not show the veterans how much we vote. The Republican-led Senate passed of all Americans, and that respect truly do respect them and their action this provision in the Defense authoriza- should be demonstrated through words and their sacrifices, including their tion bill. Yet, the House Republican and actions. families? Our side of the aisle has. We leadership refuses to bring it to the The concurrent receipts issue was have done everything within our floor of the House. Veterans’ policy new to me when I first took Federal of- power. We have cosponsored the bill. should be nonpartisan, but unfortu- fice. Learning about a policy that is We have signed the discharge petition. nately, at the cost of the veterans, it tantamount to taxing veterans for We have come to the floor today to has become a partisan issue. being disabled infuriates me, and end- speak on behalf of this bill, and we Mr. Speaker, we should all be stand- ing it simply makes sense. That is why have vowed to vote for it when it ing together for our veterans. I implore I chose to cosponsor H.R. 303 and look reaches the floor. Our actions have the House Republican leadership to forward to its passage in the House. matched our words. bring it on to the floor. Let there be an I am obviously not the only Member We challenge our colleagues on the up and down vote. Very easily, who is of this Chamber to feel this way. H.R. other side of the aisle to do the same. supporting our veterans and who is not, 303 has 366 cosponsors which is about as Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to and let us give our veterans what they bipartisan as legislation can get these the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. rightly deserve. After all, they have days. The idea of ending this disability MCCARTHY). done so much for us. This is the least tax appears to make sense to a super- Mrs. MCCARTHY of New York. Mr. we can do for them. majority, and we should have passed it Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for The last couple of weekends I have months ago. organizing this for tonight. been meeting with so many veterans’

VerDate jul 14 2003 03:28 Oct 02, 2003 Jkt 029060 PO 00000 Frm 00060 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K01OC7.120 H01PT1 October 1, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9095 groups, and this is the only thing they service to the Nation. It is time that And that is what that young man was are talking about. Last Friday, I was we showed them our thanks by cor- referring to as he lay in his bed in Wal- at Northport Hospital and talking to so recting this unjust and very unfair law. ter Reed. It is a better deal for me to many prisoners of war that have sur- So I urge the majority, finally, to show get out of the Army because I will get vived from the Korean War, and they its commitment to providing relief to my disability benefits. If I stay in the are saying why? Are you waiting for us the veterans across the country who Army, serve my country more, I will all to die? Is that what you are doing, rely on these critical benefits to live. not get my disability benefits; they to save some money? I do not under- I really feel that it is a disincentive will be taken away from me. stand it. We have our young men and for people to stay in the military, to Well, we are calling this problem the women that are going to be our future know that they will not receive their disabled veterans tax, and many Mem- veterans. If we do not keep our prom- just retirement and disability benefits. bers of Congress want to end the dis- ise, why should they care about defend- So I call upon my colleagues, and par- abled veterans tax. Unfortunately, we ing this country? We have to make a ticularly the leadership on the other have not been able to do that. The gen- difference. side of the aisle, to bring this bill to tlewoman from California (Ms. PELOSI), Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the floor so that we can correct this in- our leader, gave me an opportunity to the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. justice to our veterans. file a discharge petition, which I did. MALONEY). Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, may I in- The discharge petition is designed to quire as to the time left on the hour. force a vote on this issue. I know if we b 1830 The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. get a vote we will pass it and we will Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I KLINE). The gentlewoman from Cali- end this tax on disabled veterans. The thank my colleague for yielding to me, fornia has 8 minutes remaining. question is whether or not we will get for organizing this Special Order, and Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, it gives a vote. really for her outstanding leadership me great pleasure to yield to the gen- Now, I have had the honor and the not only on behalf of veterans, but in tleman from Georgia (Mr. MARSHALL), pleasure over the last month or two to so many areas of deep concern and im- who has truly been a leader on this speak to many veterans groups. I spoke portance to our Nation. issue all over the country, and he is the to the National Convention of the I join her and many of my colleagues, Member who filed the discharge peti- American Legion, the Veterans of For- well over 366 colleagues, to be specific, tion. eign Wars, Disabled American Vet- in calling for an end to the disabled Mr. MARSHALL. Mr. Speaker, I erans, Vietnam Veterans of America, veterans tax. The government decided want to start by thanking the gentle- and many, many others. The key to many years ago, in 1891, to take dis- woman from California (Ms. WATERS) whether or not we are going to be suc- ability benefits from retirees, to take for organizing this, and I want to cessful in ending what is a national dis- it away from our veterans when they thank all of my Democrat colleagues grace is those of you who are watching retired. It was wrong then, it is wrong who have spoken here today about a this program today and others. now, and we need to change it. subject that is very important for our Veterans need to continue to put the Common sense tells us that there is a country, and actually is a national dis- pressure on. Those of you who do not tremendous difference between what grace. know much about this issue and want you receive for retirement and what I visited a soldier who was wounded to learn more about it can go to the you receive for a disability. If you are in Walter Reed not too long ago. He Web site of any of the veterans organi- disabled, you have an injury. You may had come back from Iraq. He had an in- zations. You will find it either under live in pain for the rest of your life, jury that is very similar to the injury the name of concurrent receipt or dis- and you are entitled to that disability that General Shinseki suffered earlier abled veterans tax. You can go to my benefit. Veterans are likewise entitled in his career. He had lost part of his Web site, and you will get an awful lot to their retirement. foot. General Shinseki chose to stay in of information about it. It is the con- To show how outrageous this policy the military. He had a full career. He gressional Web site for Jim Marshall. is, you could have a veteran who was had a wonderful career and just retired We will not get this done by our- injured and they decide to retire be- as chief of staff of the Army. selves. Democrats can push as hard as cause of that injury. They then get dis- This young man and I talked a little they want to. They will not be success- ability benefits. But if another veteran bit. I had been wounded in Vietnam, ful. It is going to require the involve- who is injured decides to serve 20 years and I felt like maybe I could give him ment of folks who are watching this before he retires, when he or she re- some solace by saying, look, they are show and all of the veterans who are tires, they only get their retirement. going to be able to repair your foot; interested in ending what is a national They do not get the disability benefit. you are going to be able to stay in the disgrace. We have 366 Members of Con- In the private sector, if you have a dis- military and have a career like General gress who have signed on to the legisla- ability, you get a disability benefit. If Shinseki had; somebody that every- tion that would end the disabled vet- you retire, you get your retirement. body in the Army is very proud of. And erans tax. We just cannot get a vote on So this is a tremendously unfair pol- he replied, sir, they tell me it is a bet- it. We keep the pressure up, we can get icy, particularly when there are so ter deal to get out. the vote. At the very least, if we keep many men and women risking their Now, a lot of Americans do not know the pressure up, what we will do is get lives for our security. As we stand on what I am talking about. For years, it a giant step in the right direction pro- this floor, they are in harm’s way in has been referred to as concurrent re- posed by the administration. I hope one Afghanistan and in Iraq, and we should ceipt. It is a prohibition on receiving or the other happens. change this unfair policy. retirement benefits and disability ben- There needs to be some relief given I must say that like many Americans efits. Because that young man was in- to veterans. There is no excuse in this I had a yellow ribbon in front of my jured in Iraq, lost part of his foot, he is country for somebody like me, who apartment building for Ryan Dixon, going to be entitled to receive dis- served for a lesser period of time, to re- my neighbor, who, in my opinion, is a ability benefits. I was injured in Viet- ceive more than somebody who served great hero. He was part of the Special nam. I have shrapnel in my left leg. I more. With that, Mr. Speaker, I want Forces. He served in Iraq. Thank God, get disability benefits. I have been get- to once again thank the gentlewoman he came back safe and he was not in- ting disability benefits for 30-some-odd from California (Ms. WATERS) for hav- jured. But there are many other men years. I get those benefits despite the ing led us today. and women who are injured, in Afghan- fact that I only served my country 2 Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I cer- istan and in Iraq, and they are entitled years. Had I stayed in the service and tainly thank the gentlewoman from to their disability benefits. served my country for 20 years or more Georgia. Our Nation’s veterans deserve noth- and been entitled to military retire- Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank ing less than the benefits which they ment benefits, I would not get any dis- not only the gentleman from Georgia are entitled to, and we owe them an ability benefits. Serve more, get less. but all of my colleagues who spoke this enormous debt of gratitude for their It makes no sense. evening. We are spending so much time

VerDate jul 14 2003 03:28 Oct 02, 2003 Jkt 029060 PO 00000 Frm 00061 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K01OC7.122 H01PT1 H9096 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE October 1, 2003 on this issue because our veterans My office makes this its number one that I voted against the VA–HUD appropria- should be special and should be very priority. Not only do we work for the tions bill which under-funded the Department important to all of the Members of veterans, we have had to organize a of Veteran Affairs by an embarrassing $1.8 bil- Congress and to public policymakers in whole chapter of the Vietnam-era vet- lion. general. erans in my district because they were I know that I co-sponsored H.R. 2569, which Our veterans have been so loyal, not being ignored and they were not being would authorize concurrent receipt of military just to our country because of their serviced. We think that that is the retirement pay and VA compensation benefits, service but they are always loyal to least that a can make health care for veterans more acces- the Commander in Chief. They have al- do, to service the veterans, to fight for sible and affordable, allow veterans’ surviving lowed themselves to be misused, to be them, to make sure that they get jus- spouses to receive adequate benefits, and ex- ignored, and to be marginalized too tice. And on this issue, this should be pand educational opportunities for reservists. much, and particularly by this admin- the highest priority of our veterans H.R. 2569 further enhances benefits for the istration. We find ourselves fighting agenda. families of those killed while on active duty, and the veterans are scratching and Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support and gives an essential ‘‘thank you’’ to our clawing trying to just get the kind of of eliminating the tax on disabled veterans, troops now returning from Iraq and Afghani- benefits that they deserve. and thank my colleague MAXINE WATERS for stan. They are in these veterans hospitals organizing the time to discuss this important Mr. Speaker, I am a co-sponsor of H.R. across the Nation waiting in line for matter. 303. This legislation would permit retired service, cannot get appointments. We Those who spend their career serving our members of the armed forces with service- do not have enough beds for them in nation in the military deserve our respect and connected disabilities to be paid both military nursing care homes. And now we hear gratitude; yet, military retirees remain the only retired pay and veterans’ disability compensa- about this particular issue on the floor group of federal employees who must waive tion. H.R. 303 would rectify the injustice which tonight, and it seems to me that the retirement pay in order to receive VA disability has penalized those who sacrifice to serve our President of the United States would compensation. Our nation is stronger and country for over 100 years. Additionally, I put an end to this. This is a Com- more secure because of their service and joined my colleagues to sign the discharge pe- mander in Chief that is now saying dedication, and fulfilling our obligations to tition to bring this legislation to the floor. that he needs $87 billion more to con- those who fought for our freedom must always As a veteran’s daughter, I, along with 365 tinue the war in Iraq? We are going to be a national priority. Members of this body, am frustrated by our have more veterans who will be dis- It is time to stop penalizing the more than constant attempts to support those who sac- abled, who will come home, who will 700,000 disabled veterans who are military re- rificed for this nation. I find it morally reprehen- have to suffer this great injustice. tirees. Attempts to redefine who qualifies as a sible that this President continues his reckless This is the President who has already disabled veteran are unnecessary, and policy of cutting taxes for the richest 1 percent spent $79 billion and who is coming achieve nothing more than providing benefits of this country, yet refuses to guarantee our back for more. And this is the Presi- to one group of veterans at the expense of veterans basic benefits. And I ask: how much dent, along with others in the adminis- others. longer is this body willing to punish those who tration, who is talking about we all The solution is obvious, yet resolution has sacrifice and suffer for serving and defending have to make sacrifices. Our soldiers been difficult, I was disappointed last year this nation? are dying, our soldiers are being crip- when a threatened presidential veto caused f pled and disabled. They are losing their the elimination of the veterans tax to be limbs. How long do we have to beg? scaled back in the Defense Authorization bill SECURING THE PEACE IN IRAQ How long do we have to plead with this and, again this year when the House Defense The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under President? Authorization failed to include language to re- the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- I am here tonight, along with my col- peal the tax. uary 7, 2003, the gentleman from Ari- leagues, to ask my colleagues on the At a time when our Nation is asking more zona (Mr. SHADEGG) is recognized for 60 other side of the aisle to please sign men and women to risk their lives and security minutes as the designee of the major- that discharge petition. Please send a on behalf of our country, we should make ity leader. message to the veterans that during every effort to fulfill our promise to them upon Mr. SHADEGG. Mr. Speaker, I appre- this time when we are at war, at a time their return. The strength of a nation is meas- ciate this opportunity to open an im- when many of those who watch us on ured not only in the might of its military, but portant discussion before the Congress television who are fighting in Iraq, who also the compassion shown by and to its on the topic of securing the peace in may be the victim of some sniper’s bul- members. Iraq. let any time, any day, let them know It is time to put a permanent end to the dis- I am going to be brief in my opening that should something happen, should abled veterans tax; their commitment to excel- remarks, Mr. Speaker, because we have they be crippled, should they lose a lence in service to our country should not be some colleagues here who want to par- limb that they can depend on their answered with deficient services from that ticipate in this debate and who have government to see to it that they get country. other obligations. But let me simply both their retirement and the dis- Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I thank my col- start by saying that I believe it is abso- ability benefits that they deserve. I do leagues, the gentlewoman from California, Ms. lutely essential for this Nation, now not think that is too much to ask, Mr. WATERS and the gentleman from Illinois, that we have deposed Saddam Hussein, Speaker. EVANS for their work on this to rebuild that country and to secure I certainly feel a little bit ashamed important issue. for them the peace. And what I mean this evening that we have to carry this Mr. Speaker, I rise today outraged by the by that is that it is simply not ade- debate this far. I served on the Com- Majority Leadership’s continual short-changing quate in this world we live in today to mittee on Veterans’ Affairs when I first of American veterans. I appreciate Members’ get rid of a dictator like Saddam Hus- came to the Congress of the United from both sides of the aisle, who work to sup- sein and then walk away. Tragically, States. I interacted with all of the port our retired soldiers. I find great irony in America has done that all too often in service organizations. I made a lot of the support that this body gives in creating its foreign policy, with disastrous con- friends, and I discovered at that time veterans in Afghanistan and Iraq, but the lack sequences. that there are many in the Congress of assistance in sustaining these and previous There will be discussion on the floor who will wave the red, white, and blue veterans upon their return. here tonight in the course of this de- flag and they will talk the talk; but Mr. Speaker, I would appreciate the Repub- bate of how we did that after World they will not walk the walk. They will licans and this Administration responding to an War I. We not only walked away, but not stand up and ask for the dollars. outraged constituent who asked me earlier this we demanded reparations. The result They will not defend the services. They year if, ‘‘We are just going to reward our fight- was the rise of an atrocious dictator- will not even take the time to help the ing men with medals and praise, then let them ship in Germany and another world veterans fight through the bureaucracy fend for themselves after they have suffered war. of veterans affairs to get the benefits the insults and injuries of war?’’. How do I re- I want to point to another example that are coming to them. spond to this person and others, when I know just briefly here at the outset of this

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