Congressman Supports Veterans and Military Retirees by Signing Discharge Petition on Concurrent Receipt Legislation
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Representative Adam Schiff signed a petition today in support of veterans and military retirees urging House Leaders to debate and vote on H.R. 303, the bipartisan Retired Pay Restoration Act of 2003.
Currently, veterans who retire with 20 years of honorable service, and who also have a service-related disability, are not permitted to collect both their retirement and disability benefits at the same time. H.R. 303 would immediately authorize full payment of both retirement pay and disability compensation, called "concurrent receipt," to more than 500,000 disabled veterans and military retirees. Although 326 members of the House are co-sponsors of H.R. 303 - including Rep. Schiff - the House Majority leadership refuses to bring it to the House floor for debate and a vote.
"This legislation is long overdue. Our veterans and military retirees have earned their full retirment benefits and should not be penalized for suffering an injury while serving our country," Rep. Adam Schiff said today.
H.R. 303 was introduced on January 8, 2003 by Rep. Bilirakis (R-FL), but it has yet to see floor action despite its many supporters. On June 4, 2003 the Senate passed an amendment by Sen. Harry Reid (D- NV) to H.R. 1588, the National Defense Authorization Act, to restore full retirement benefits for disabled military retirees. This measure is identical to the House bill.
Last year, President Bush threatened to veto the Defense bill because of a concurrent receipt provision. The President's veto threat resulted in a scaled back version of the proposal, virtually penalizing those who have suffered injuries and disabilities caused by military service.
Over 2.6 million veterans live in California - more than any other state. Veterans groups who have placed their support behind this petition include the American Legion, the Disabled American Veterans, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Fleet Reserve Association, the Military Officers Association of America, the National Association for Uniformed Services, the Non-Commissioned Officers Association and the Retired Enlisted Association.
A discharge petition is a special House rule allowing for a majority of the House, 218 Representatives, to force a vote on an issue that is being bottled up in committee or by the leadership. This rule is the same procedure used to force passage of campaign finance reform in the last Congress.
Rep. Schiff represents California’s 29th Congressional District, including the communities of Alhambra, Altadena, Burbank, East Pasadena, East San Gabriel, Glendale, Monterey Park, Pasadena, San Gabriel, South Pasadena and Temple City.