Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, Ninth District, IL

VETERANS & MILITARY ISSUES

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War and peace cannot be won without our nation’s veterans. It is important for every American to remember the noble service and high sacrifices of those who have worn this nation’s uniform. Since coming to Congress I have dedicated myself to, in the words of President Lincoln, “care for him who shall have borne the battle.”

With more than 120,000 returning service members from Iraq and Afghanistan now seeking veterans’ health care, and more than 1,000,000 veterans currently in the VA system, I’m working in Congress to provide additional funding to meet the demand. I am also working to pass a comprehensive New GI Bill of Rights for the 21st Century. In addition, I am fighting to prevent President Bush from increasing health care costs on our veterans. Just as our men and women in uniform vow to never leave a soldier behind in battle, so must we commit to never leaving a veteran behind when they return from serving our country.

LEGISLATION

I have introduced the following bills in the 109th Congress:

H.R. 2060 – Along with Representative Dana Rohrabacher, I have introduced H.R. 2060 which eliminates the means testing in the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Act for Reservists and National Guard members called up for more than 60 days of service in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, allowing them to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy under less punitive rules.

H.R. 1441 – Inclusive Home Design Act of 2005

I have introduced H.R. 1441, the Inclusive Home Design Act, which would make more new homes accessible, or “visitable,” by people with disabilities, especially disabled veterans. Specifically, the legislation would require all newly-built single-family homes and townhouses receiving federal funds to meet four specific accessibility standards: at least one accessible (or “zero step”) entrance into the home; 32” clearance doorways on the main level; one wheelchair accessible bathroom; and electrical and climate controls – such as light switches and thermostats – at reachable heights from a wheelchair.

I am also a Co-Sponsor of these key bills:

(For a full list please visit the Thomas website http://thomas.loc.gov/:

H.R. 515 – Assured Funding for Veterans Health Care Act of 2005

I am a cosponsor of HR 515, legislation offered by Representative Lane Evans, which would provide mandatory funding for the VA. I believe that adequate funding for our veterans’ health care should never be an issue for debate. I strongly support investing more in our nation’s VA health care system.

H.R. 4949 – Military Retirees' Health Care Protection Act

I am a cosponsor of H.R. 4949, the Military Retirees’ Health Care Protection Act, legislation designed to block the Pentagon from raising health care fees on military veterans. H.R. 4949 would block increases to TRICARE military health insurance premiums, co-payments for pharmaceuticals, deductibles for inpatient care, and premiums for those in the Reserves and Guard who are enrolled in TRICARE.

H.R. 2131 – New GI Bill of Rights for the 21st Century Act

H.R. 2131 will improve benefits for our veterans by providing better education, health care, and job training benefits for those who have answered the call to duty.

H.R. 808 – Military Surviving Spouses Equity Act

I am a cosponsor of H.R. 808, the Military Surviving Spouses Equity Act, which would repeal the widow’s tax. The inequity of a dollar-for-dollar deduction of VA benefits for service-connected deaths from the survivors’ SBP annuities must be ended.

RESOURCES

Please click here to visit the House Democratic Veterans Affairs Committee webpage: http://veterans.house.gov/democratic/welcome.htm.

SCHAKOWSKY PRESENTS WWII VETERAN AND SKOKIE RESIDENT MELVIN MUEHLEMAN WITH

LOST MEDALS

(November 22, 2004) CHICAGO, IL – During a ceremony in her Chicago office, U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) today presented Melvin Muehleman with his medals and citations, almost sixty-years after he served in World War II. Muehleman, a U.S. army Staff Sergeant, served in the Asian-Pacific Theater during World War II from Oct 4, 1941 until October 11, 1945. Sergeant Muehleman fought in New Guinea and Southern Philippines and was wounded in action at Luzon on February 25, 1945.

(Click for Full Statement)

►Article: 11/23/2004
Proper Notice Taken of World War II Duty

Chicago Tribune

BUSH ADMINISTRATION MISSTATEMENT OF THE DAY – VETERANS

(Aug. 18, 2004) Speaking to Veterans of Foreign Wars during their annual convention, President Bush said:

All our nation's veterans have made serving America the highest priority of their lives, and serving our veterans is one of the highest priorities of my administration. (President Bush, VFW Convention, 8/16/04)

However, President Bush’s real record on meeting the needs of our veterans clearly reflects a different set of priorities. (Learn More)

(Click for Full Misstatement)

(June 25, 2004) View Report: The Administration’s Programmed Budget Cuts in 2006 Will Mean Reduced Health Care Services for Veterans

SCHAKOWSKY JOINS COLLEAGUES
TO HONOR WWII VETERANS

(May 12, 2004) WASHINGTON, D.C. – Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the brave men and women who served our nation during World War II and to wholeheartedly support H.Res. 409. The National World War II (WWII) Memorial will be officially dedicated on May 29 to honor the 16,000,000 veterans who served in the United States Armed Forces during WWII and the millions of Americans who supported the war effort on the home front. Even today, we deeply appreciate the great service and sacrifice that those men and women gave in defense of our nation and the world.

(Click for Full Statement)

“Mistakes Accomplished” by President Bush – Failing our Veterans

(Apr. 20, 2004)…right now, 30,000 veterans are waiting 6 months or longer for appointments at VA hospitals, new increases are proposed in the cost of veterans health care for up to 1 million veterans, and long-term care funding has been slashed…. What the veterans organizations are saying is that actually the amount of money allocated to veterans is millions of dollars short of what it needs to be. The President could acknowledge that it is a mistake to mistreat our veterans…

(Click for Full Statement)

New Information (3/22/04):

►Fact Sheet: Republican Budget and Veterans
Republican Budget Shortchanges America's Veterans and Members of the Armed Forces. Provided by the Office of Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA).

►Veterans' Earned Benefits
Democrats believe that our troops should be taken care of when we send them into battle and that they should be given our respect when we bring them home. But Republicans are refusing to keep their promise and provide these veterans and military retirees with the retirement benefits they earned serving our country.

►Survivor Benefits Penalty
Democrats believe that our troops should be taken care of when we send them into battle and that they should be given our respect when we bring them home. And we know that the spouses of those we send into battle make sacrifices too. But Republicans are refusing to keep their promise and provide veterans, military retirees, and their spouses with the retirement benefits they earned serving our country.

SCHAKOWSKY WELCOMES PARALYZED VETERANS OF AMERICA TO WASHINGTON

WASHINGTON, D.C. – (Mar. 3, 2004) U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) today welcomed members of the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) to Capitol Hill. Schakowsky applauded the veterans for their dedication and for coming to Washington to advocate on behalf of their colleagues for critical issues like veterans health care and benefits.

(Click for Full Statement)

Schakowsky Joins in Honoring Fallen WWII Hero John Sklena

CHICAGO, IL – (Feb. 18, 2004) U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) today joined in honoring John Sklena, a World War II hero who was killed in action in Germany, on September 17, 1944. He served with the 3^rd Armored Division, 36^th Armored Infantry Regiment, 3^rd battalion, and is buried in Henri Chappel cemetery in Belgium.

“I know these medals are precious to John Sklena’s family as a reminder of his heroism and sacrifice. It is an honor for me to bring them home at last,” Schakowsky said.

(Click for Full Release)

Veterans: Republicans Fail to Provide Benefits - A Power Point Presentation (12/19/03)

►Article: 11/13/2003
Schakowsky Calls for an End to 'Disabled Veterans Tax'

Park Ridge News

►Article: 11/13/2003
Schakowsky Calls for an End to Veterans Tax

Park Ridge Journal

►Article: 11/13/2003
City Pays Tribute to Heroes

Evanston Review

►Listen: Congressman Chet Edwards (TX-11) - Democratic Radio Address (Nov. 8, 2003)

(.mp3 format)

( Right Click on Link and Select 'Save As')

In his address, Congressman Edwards pays tribute to our veterans and discusses how to keep our promises to them, including Democratic efforts to end the disabled veterans tax.

(Click here for text transcript of address)

Bush Administration's Misstatement of the Day: Support for Soldiers and Their Families

(Nov. 12, 2003) According to a speech posted on the White House webpage (President Bush Discusses Iraq in Veterans Day Address, 10/11/03), President Bush said:

"When we lose such Americans in battle we lose our best. And the time -- this time of brave achievement is also a time of sacrifice. Not far from this place, at Army and Navy medical centers, young service members are recovering from injuries of war. Not far from here, at Arlington National Cemetery, as in home towns across America, we have laid to rest young men and women who died in distant lands. For their families, this is a terrible sorrow, and we pray for their comfort. For the nation, there is a feeling of loss, and we remember and we honor every name."

However, President Bush's budget is forcing soldiers and military families to sacrifice right here at home. According to the Center for American Progress:

"...If slashing veterans funding wasn't enough, the Administration is also pushing for serious cuts to services for current soldiers. Bush's 2004 budget proposes a $1.5 billion cut to military family housing/medical facilities, and a $174 million cut to schools near military bases . The Administration also announced its formal opposition "to a proposal to give National Guard and Reserve members access to the Pentagon's health-insurance system" despite "a recent General Accounting Office report estimated that one of every five Guard members has no health insurance...."

(Click for Full Misstatement)

►Transcript: 11/12/03

Schakowsky Honors Veterans

Evanston, Illinois

Schakowsky: Justice for America’s Disabled Veterans - Study Finds 7,000 Disabled Illinois Veterans Lose $32.6 Million in Benefits Annually

(Nov. 10, 2003) PARK RIDGE, IL – Calling for an end to the Disabled Veterans Tax, U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) joined leaders of veterans’ organizations to demand justice for disabled veterans in Illinois and across the country.

During a news conference at the Park Ridge VFW, Schakowsky released an Illinois-wide study, which concluded that more than 7,000 disabled veterans in the state are being denied their full benefits because of the Disabled Veterans Tax...

(Click for Full Statement)

►Report: The Disabled Veterans Tax Impacts Thousands of Veterans in Illinois

►Additional Information: The Disabled Veterans Tax Hurts Illinois Veterans

►Misstatement of the Day: Disabled Veteran's Tax

►Radio News: 11/10/2003
Disabled Veterans Tax
Chicago Public Radio - WBEZ

►Article: 11/09/2003
Evanston, Campus Celebrates Veterans Day with Memorials

Daily Northwestern

Schakowsky Honors
World War II Veteran

CHICAGO, IL - (Aug. 20, 2003) During a ceremony in the 9th Congressional District Chicago office, U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) honored Mr. Erwin Jacobson, a World War II veteran, for his selfless service to our nation.

(Schakowsky's Statement)

►Article: 08/24/2003
Medals Pass Along Pride

"Nearly 60 years ago, Erwin Jacobson earned six medals in the South Pacific during World War II. The Skokie man finally received the hardware after a decade long battle with Army bureaucracy." (Continue to Article)