Ashford: Stop National Guard Bonus Clawback

Omaha, NE –Congressman Brad Ashford today applauded Pentagon plans to keep intact signing bonuses that were awarded to nearly 10,000 soldiers between 2000 and 2008.

Secretary of Defense Ash Carter said Wednesday that he is suspending “all efforts to collect reimbursement” from the men and women caught up in a California National Guard nightmare.

Congressman Ashford said the men and women in uniform should not be taking the fall for something out of their control.

“Too many veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars sacrificed their lives and others reenlisted multiple times to serve our country; it’s shameful that the Department of Defense would even consider asking Purple Heart recipients and other veterans to repay bonuses that have helped military families buy a home or pay for medical expenses,” Ashford said.

Following the Los Angeles Times report on clawbacks in California, both Republicans and Democrats voiced their opposition to the Pentagon’s decision to seek repayment of bonuses and urged bipartisan action to halt the clawback and investigate who is accountable.

This week, Ashford joined colleagues from both sides of the aisle urging Secretary Carter to immediately halt all ongoing efforts to recoup bonuses, along with providing information about the recoupment process and steps taken to educate Service Members on their ability to apply for relief.

“Taking care of our troops and our veterans is a top priority, and as the son of a veteran and member of the House Armed Services Committee, I share the strong objections our veterans and military families have about the collection efforts,” said Ashford. “I am strongly committed to working with my colleagues on a bipartisan solution so that no other members of our military suffer a similar injustice.”

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