WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Military Coalition, a consortium of 33 uniformed services and veterans associations representing more than 5.5 million members, announced their strong support and full endorsement of H.R. 333, the Disabled Veterans Tax Termination Act. Earlier this year, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02), the Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veteran Affairs, and Related Agencies, reintroduced H.R. 333, a bill to allow disabled veterans to receive the full amount of compensation they earned while serving their country.
“The Military Coalition continues to fight for the interests of our armed forces community, including veterans and military families, and I am proud to have their support on this essential piece of legislation,” said Congressman Bishop. “Any veteran who has been injured during their service to our country has rightfully earned their military retirement pay and VA disability benefits. Certain current policies take money right out of the pockets of these Americans by effectively taxing veterans’ benefits. These policies must change and with the help of organizations like The Military Coalition, we shall succeed.”
When a veteran receives income from multiple sources, such as from the VA and the Department of Defense, it is known as concurrent receipt. Under current law, many veterans are barred from collecting their VA disability compensation if they also receive military retirement pay, and face a dollar-for-dollar offset despite having earned both benefits while serving their country. The Disabled Veterans Tax Termination Act provides for a comprehensive solution to the concurrent receipt problem by expanding eligibility for concurrent receipt and eliminating the current system’s inequities.
In their letter of support, 33 members of the Coalition thanked Congressman Bishop for his leadership, and made clear that they believe H.R. 333 is the most comprehensive legislation addressing the concurrent receipt problem and represents the Coalition’s ultimate goal on the issue. The Military Coalition, a leading champion for disabled retirees and their families, has vowed to push for passage of H.R. 333 in the 113th Congress.
The Military Coalition’s members include: the Air Force Association; the Air Force Sergeants Association; Air Force Women Officers Association; AMVETS; Army Aviation Association of America; AMSUS, the Society of Federal Health Professional; Association of the U.S. Army; Association of the U.S. Navy; Commissioned Officers Association of the U.S. Public Health Service, inc; CWOA, U.S. Coast Guard; Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the U.S.; Fleet Reserve Association; Gold Star Wives of America, Inc; Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA); Jewish War Veterans of the USA; Marine Corps League; Marine Corps Reserve Association; Military Officers Association of America (MOAA); Military Order of the Purple Heart; National Association for Uniformed Services; National Guard Association of the U.S.; National Military Family Association; Naval Enlisted Reserve Association; Non-Commissioned Officers Association of the United States of America; Reserve Officers Association; Society of Medical Consultants to the Armed Forces; the Military Chaplains Association of the USA; The Retired Enlisted Association; USCG Chief Petty Officers Association; U.S. Army Warrant Officers Association; Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S.; Vietnam Veterans of America; Wounded Warrior Project.
To view The Military Coalition’s letter to Congressman Bishop, please click here.
###