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Rahall: Memorial Day Bills Put Troops, Veterans First

05/20/08

Continuing his fight to better provide for West Virginia’s troops and veterans, Rahall (D-WV) cast his vote Tuesday in support of H.R. 6081, the Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax (HEART) Act, and 10 other bills designed to provide American troops, veterans, and military families with the quality healthcare and services they have earned.

“Our troops, veterans, and military families represent the best of America,” said Rahall. “I am proud to honor and recognize their service by passing legislation that puts our troops and veterans first. The HEART Act, which extends $2 billion in tax relief to our military families, is a good first step to ease the significant economic hardships that repeated redeployments to Iraq and Afghanistan have placed on American troops."

H.R. 6081, an updated version of the HEART Act, which passed both houses of Congress late last year, would make permanent essential tax relief for our military families, including tax relief under the Earned Income Tax Credit; provide incentives to make sure that reservists called up for active duty do not suffer a pay cut; clarify the availability of stimulus tax rebates for military families; and expand homeownership opportunities for veterans.

Rahall also helped pass a legislative package containing 10 bills to address the healthcare needs of veterans, such as substance abuse, Spina Bifida, and emergency care; authorize VA medical facility construction projects; and provide a cost-of-living adjustment for service-connected disability compensation rates for veterans, among others.

“The health and well-being of our military forces remain foremost in the hearts and minds of West Virginians, and their care remains one of my top priorities in Congress,” said Rahall. “This Memorial Day, as we mourn a new generation of fallen heroes and salute those who have gone before them, we should honor and recognize our men and women in uniform by providing them with the respect, benefits, and services that they have earned.