WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Florida’s Democratic Representatives in Congress released a report showing that each year the “Disabled Veterans Tax” strips nearly 57,300 Florida veterans of approximately $300 million in entitled benefits ($5,230 per veteran). On the eve of Veterans Day, the legislators called on Congress to pass legislation to ensure America’s disabled veterans receive the full compensation they earned.

Veterans who served in the military for 20 years or more are entitled to retirement benefits, and those who incurred disabilities in the line of duty qualify for a separate disability benefit. Under the “Disabled Veterans Tax,” veterans entitled to both benefits have their retirement benefits reduced on a dollar-for-dollar basis by the amount they receive in disability payments.

The report released today shows that 31 percent of Florida’s veterans who receive military retirement benefits are penalized by this tax. The average Florida veteran receives retirement benefits of approximately $18,750, but the “Disabled Veterans Tax” reduces these benefits by an estimated 22 percent.

The report was conducted by the House Committee on Government Reform at the request of Representatives Corinne Brown, Peter Deutsch, Alcee Hastings, Allen Boyd, Jim Davis, Robert Wexler and Kendrick Meek. All seven members are cosponsors of H.R. 303, Representative Michael Bilirakis’ Retired Pay Restoration Act, yet the Republican leadership in Congress refuses to allow a vote on the bill. These members have also signed a discharge petition, which, once signed by 218 members, would immediately bring H.R. 303 to the floor for a vote.

“Congress should be ashamed that it has not corrected this injustice,” said Congressman Davis. “How can we ask America’s young people to enter into service and at the same time penalize America’s veterans for their service-related disabilities?”

"Promises made should be promises kept for those who defended our freedom," Congressman Peter Deutsch said. "It's time we treat our veterans as the heroes they are and not as second class citizens. The President and the Republican leadership should start respecting America's veterans."

Congressman Alcee Hastings commented, “On this Veterans Day, America has more than 100,000 new veterans. And how is the President and Republicans repaying them for their tireless commitment to freedom and democracy? By stripping funding from veterans health care and disabled benefits programs. All politics aside, this debate is about doing what is right. If soldiers care enough about America to die for it in war, then America ought to care enough about them to protect their health and well being once the war is over.”

“The findings of this report are astounding, and I am outraged that thousands of disabled veterans in Florida have lost millions of dollars annually due to the Disabled Veterans Tax,” said Congressman Robert Wexler. “It is unconscionable that the Republican leadership in Congress continues to shortchange domestic programs in order to advance President Bush’s agenda - tax cuts for wealthy America. It is disconcerting that while President Bush continues to call up troops to serve in Iraq, he is cutting the benefits to those brave men and women who have so ably served this country during our greatest time of need. Veterans in Florida and across this nation have made enormous sacrifices and deserve better from their elected leaders,” Wexler said.

Congresswoman Corrine Brown stated, "If we can come up with an $87.5 billion supplemental appropriation for the war in Iraq, then we can surely find the money to compensate our Nation’s military retirees. We cannot say that we have enough money to fight wars, but not enough to compensate the servicemembers injured in them."

“It is critical to stop penalizing our disabled veterans," said Congressman Allen Boyd. "We must fulfill our commitment to those who helped build America’s strength and security. Disabled veterans have been waiting years for an end to the Disabled Veterans Tax. Our veterans shouldn’t have to wait any longer.”

"The Bush Administration is borrowing billions to rebuild Baghdad and Tikrit; they are giving away billions in tax cuts to offshore companies and wealthy people. House Republicans promised to provide full funding for VA health care programs, but in fact they underfunded VA health care by $1.8 billion. Now, they say that we cannot afford to help all our retired service-disabled veterans," said Rep. Kendrick Meek (D-Miami). "It's hard to imagine justifications that are so cynical and priorities that are so skewed."

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