WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman John B. Larson (D-CT) was joined bipartisanly by nearly 100 Members in unveiling the Victory for Veterans Stamp Act to help veterans, pay down the debt, and support the U.S. Postal Service.

The Act, which is modeled on the successful Victory Stamp drive of World War II, is intended to allow the public to give back to those who have served our nation by directly funding employment and training programs for veterans, as well as reducing the national debt and helping support the U.S. Postal Service, through the voluntary purchase of a special supplementary stamp.

“In going through the letters my mother and father sent to each other during World War II, I couldn’t help but notice a unique ‘Victory’ stamp that was used at the time as a means to help support the war effort.  That stands in contrast to today where it seems like the only ones being asked to sacrifice for the wars are our troops and their families,” said Larson.  “The Victory for Veterans Stamp is intended to call upon American’s sense of patriotism and desire to do what they can for our troops and the nation. It’s easy.  It’s patriotic.  And it’s American.”

“I’m proud that so many of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle agree and have come together demonstrating that when it comes to veterans and the nation, we can put partisanship aside and work together,” Larson added.  “I especially want to thank my colleagues across the aisle Bill Shuster, Tom Rooney, and Walter Jones for their strong support for this idea and our veterans.”

“The Victory for Veterans Stamp Act is a piece of legislation that offers every American the chance to give back to our men and women in uniform and say to them, 'thank you for your service.'  There is no greater cause than taking care of our fellow brothers and sisters who have sacrificed so much for our safety and national security,” said Congressman Bill Shuster (R-PA), the lead Republican sponsor.  “I applaud the efforts of  Congressman Larson, as well as my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for helping to move this important piece of legislation forward.”

A summary of the bill can be read here.

In addition to Larson and Shuster, Members who have agreed to support the bill include: Gary Ackerman (D-NY), Jason Altmire (D-PA), Rob Andrews (D-NJ), Joe Baca (D-CA), Lou Barletta (R-PA), Karen Bass (D-CA), Sanford Bishop (D-GA), Tim Bishop (D-NY), Earl Blumenaur (D-OR), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Mary Bono Mack (R-CA), Leonard Boswell (D-IA), Robert Brady (D-PA), Mike Capuano (D-MA), Russ Carnahan (D-MO), Andre Carson (D-IN), Ben Chandler (D-KY), William Lacy Clay (D-MO), Jim Cooper (D-TN), Jim Costa (D-CA), Joe Courtney (D-CT), Mark Critz (D-PA), Elijah Cummings (D-MD), Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Diana DeGette (D-CO), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Charlie Dent (R-PA), Ted Deutch (D-FL), Norm Dicks (D-WA), Robert Dold (R-IL), Mike Doyle (D-PA), Donna Edwards (D-MD), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Chaka Fattah (D-PA), Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN), Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ), Jim Gerlach (R-PA), Gene Green (D-TX), Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), Brett Guthrie (R-KY), Janice Hahn (D-CA), Alcee Hastings (D-FL), Ruben Hinojosa (D-TX), Tim Holden (D-PA), Steve Israel (D-NY), Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-IL), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), Jim Langevin (D-RI), Steve LaTourette (R-OH), John Lewis (D-GA), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Thomas Marino (R-PA), Doris Matsui (D-CA), Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY), Thad McCotter (R-MI), Jim McDermott (D-WA), Jim McGovern (D-MA), Patrick McHenry (R-NC), Jerry McNerney (D-CA), Gwen Moore (D-WI), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Tim Murphy (R-PA), Ed Perlmutter (D-CO), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Mike Quigley (D-IL), Nick Rahall (D-WV), Silvestre Reyes (D-TX), Cedric Richmond (D-LA), Tom Rooney (R-FL), Mike Ross (D-AK), Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD), Jose Serrano (D-NY), Terri Sewell (D-AL), Heath Shuler (D-NC), Albio Sires (D-NJ), Betty Sutton (D-OH), Bennie Thompson (D-MS), Glen Thompson (R-PA), Mike Thompson (D-CA), Pat Tiberi (R-OH), John Tierney (D-MA), Edolphus Towns (D-NY), Mike Turner (R-OH), Nydia Velaszuez (D-NY), Tim Walz (D-MN), Mel Watt (D-NC), Peter Welch (D-VT), Lynn Woolsey (D-CA), John Yarmuth (D-KY), and Don Young (R-AK).

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