MEASURE ENDORSED BY 36 VETERANS AND MILITARY ORGANIZATIONS ENSURE INJURED TROOPS RECEIVE ALL PROMISED BONUSES

Washington, Dec 18, 2007 - "Under current rules, members of our military who receive a combat-related injury will not receive the full enlistment bonus promised to them unless they fulfill their entire military obligation," stated Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Ocala). "These men and women are risking their lives for our security, and injured warriors deserve their full enlistment bonus."

Stearns joined Rep. Jason Altmire (D-PA) in offering the Veterans Guaranteed Bonus Act, H.R. 3793, which the House approved today. H.R. 3793 would require the Department of Defense to provide veterans who have been discharged due to combat-related wounds or injuries while on duty with full payment of remaining bonuses within 90 days of discharge.

Explained Stearns, "In response to the terrible conditions our wounded military personnel endured at Walter Reed Hospital, the President called on former Senator Bob Dole and former Health & Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala to review the problems and develop recommendations to correct them. This legislation implements one of those recommendations." Thirty-six military and veterans organization have endorsed the Veterans Guaranteed Bonus Act.