LARSON FIGHTS FOR ACTION TO AUTHORIZE RETIREMENT, DISABILITY COMPENSATION TO RETIRED VETSSigns Disch

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 12, 2003

LARSON FIGHTS FOR ACTION TO AUTHORIZE RETIREMENT, DISABILITY COMPENSATION TO RETIRED VETS
Signs Discharge Petition to Force Action on Concurrent Receipt Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C.- U.S. Congressman John B. Larson (CT-01) today signed a petition to force the Republican Leadership in the House to schedule a vote on H.R. 303, which would immediately authorize "concurrent receipt," of the full payment of both retirement pay and disability compensation to half a million retired American veterans. Under current law, veterans who retire with 20 years of honorable service who also have a service-related disability are not permitted to collect both retirement and disability pay at the same time.

Even through H.R. 303, the Retired Pay Restoration Act, has 320 cosponsors in the House, the GOP Leadership has failed to schedule a vote. A "discharge petition" is a legislative procedure to force the House Leadership to bring a bill to the floor.

Larson stated: "It is senseless to penalize disabled veterans who have served their nation honorably by refusing to allow them the benefits they deserve. America's veterans have been waiting patiently for Congress to act on this issue for some time, and even in the face of overwhelming support for the bill in the House, the Republican leadership has still not scheduled a vote. These veterans have given decades of service to their nation and should not have to wait any longer. The Senate has already passed this provision and it is time for the House to act."

In order to bring the bill to the floor, a discharge petition requires signatures of a majority of the House, or 218 Members.

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Congressman Larson is a Member of the House Armed Services Committee