Fitzpatrick-Led Bill Restoring Vet Pensions Heads to Obama’s Desk

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick (PA-8) praised the Senate’s quick action Wednesday in passing (95-3) legislation [S. 25] he led through the House to restore pension cost of living adjustments for military veterans, and ensure seniors affordable access to the healthcare they receive through Medicare. 

“I applaud the Senate in not wasting any time when it comes to keeping the promises we’ve made to our military veterans and our nation’s seniors,” said Fitzpatrick following the bill’s passage. “This bill highlights the room for agreement between parties and chambers – hopefully this moment can be a springboard for more cooperation on important issues facing our nation.”

The Senate-passed bill ensures that all service men and women enlisted in the U.S. military prior to Jan. 1 of this year will receive the full cost of living adjustments in retirement - before and after age 62. This legislation undoes the 1% cost of living adjustment (COLA) reduction found in the budget agreement signed into law in December.

Furthermore, the bill creates stability within the Medicare program by providing a fund to continue seniors’ access to their doctors, while guaranteeing physicians are fairly compensated for their work until long-term reform of the SGR (sustainable growth rate) is achieved by Congress this spring.

“Stability - that’s what this legislation provides. For veterans planning their retirements, for seniors getting the care they deserve, and the hardworking taxpayer who ends up saving millions,” continued Fitzpatrick. “I hope the President signs this bipartisan bill with the urgency with which the bipartisan House and Senate passed it. There’s no reason not to act on this common sense legislation that addresses the issues at hand.”

Republican leaders commended Fitzpatrick for his guidance of the legislation in the House Tuesday and for his previous work to restore changes to veterans’ pensions. (Fitzpatrick’s floor remarks following the bill’s introduction and debate are available HERE)

"Congressman Fitzpatrick has been a leader on advancing a fiscally responsible way to protect the retirement of our military retirees and current members of the Armed Forces,” said House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA). “I thank Congressman Fitzpatrick for his hard work and for leading the effort in the House today on this important issue."

“Congratulations and many thanks to Congressman Fitzpatrick for another strong successful bi-partisan effort to keep the promise to our soldiers and vets,” said U.S. Army Col. Daniel L. Rubini (Ret.). “Congressman Fitzpatrick understands this and stepped up to take the lead in reversing this travesty.  I continue to support his other initiatives including encouragement of vet employment and giving veterans a level playing field in government contracting.”

This is the second piece of legislation Fitzpatrick has successfully steered through the House and Senate and onto President Obama’s desk. In August, the President signed Fitzpatrick’s Reverse Mortgage Stabilization Act into law in August – it was one of only 57 pieces of legislation during the first session of the 113th Congress.

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Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick is serving his third term in the U.S. House of Representatives. He represents Pennsylvania’s 8th district which includes all of Bucks County as well as a portion of Montgomery County. He serves as the Vice Chairman of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.