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“ Democratic priorities are clear: we will fight to get the economy back on track, we will create jobs, and we will help unemployed workers. ” |
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Pelosi Urges Members to Support Veterans and Military Retirees by Signing Discharge Petition on Concurrent Receipt
Washington, D.C. -- House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi today called on all Members of the House of Representatives to honor their commitment to disabled veterans and military retirees by signing the discharge petition to force a debate and vote on the H.R. 303, the bipartisan Retired Pay Restoration Act of 2003.
This bill would immediately authorize full payment of both retirement pay and disability compensation, known as "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, the Republican leadership refuses to bring it to the House floor for debate and a vote.
“Our veterans and military retirees earned their retirement benefits through decades of service and sacrifice to our country, and they should not have to forfeit part or all of that compensation solely because their service to this country left them disabled,” Pelosi said. “That is simply not fair.”
Pelosi commended Congressmen Jim Marshall (D-GA) and Chet Edwards (D-TX) for their leadership on the discharge petition. “Veterans and military retirees have outstanding friends in Congress in Jim Marshall and Chet Edwards. Their exceptional work on concurrent receipt is but one example of the Democrats' commitment to our men and women in uniform.”
Currently, 119 Members of the House, including 118 Democrats, have signed the discharge petition. A total of 218 Members must sign in order to force a vote on the bill.
“ Democrats are united in presenting a New Direction for America, one that will make our nation as strong as its people, one that brings opportunity, security, and prosperity to all Americans. ”
Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi
