Congresswoman Jan Schakoswky, Representing the 9th District of Illinois
   

NOVEMBER 10, 2003

SCHAKOWSKY: BUSH ADMINISTRATION'S MISSTATEMENT OF THE DAY - 
DISABLED VETERANS TAXWASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) issued today's "Bush Administration's Misstatement of the Day" on the "Disabled Veterans Tax."

President Bush issued the following statement in a November 7, 2003 
White House press release:
 

"Finally, I am pleased that the House has resolved the issue of concurrent receipt for military retirees in a fair and responsible manner."
 
However, the Republican proposal signed by the President does not deliver any benefits to two-thirds of disabled Veterans.
  
Schakowsky notes: "Disabled veterans lose precious dollars each month because of the Disabled Veterans Tax.  Many of those disabled veterans are on fixed incomes and they desperately need every dollar to keep the lights on, the heat running, the prescriptions filled or the rent paid on time. We must end the Disabled Veterans Tax - it is unfair, unjust and unpatriotic," Schakowsky said.

Schakowsky called for the immediate passage of H.R. 303, a bipartisan bill with more than 370 cosponsors that would immediately restore benefits to the 7,048 disabled veterans in Illinois and the more than 560,000 nationwide.   
The study, which was requested by Schakowsky, U.S. Representatives Evans (D-IL), Ranking Democrat on the Veterans Affairs Committee, and Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) found:
 

  • Thousands of veterans in Illinois are subject to the Disabled Veterans Tax. Over 7,000 veterans in Illinois lose military retirement benefits due to the Disabled Veterans Tax. More than one out of every five retired veterans in the state (22%) is subject to the Disabled Veterans Tax. 
  • The Disabled Veterans Tax costs veterans in Illinois millions of dollars annually. Statewide, veterans subject to the Disabled Veterans Tax lose $2.7 million each month or $32.6 million in benefits annually.  This is an average of $4,625 per affected veteran in the state annually.  For these veterans, this amounts to a reduction in military benefits of 23%. 
  • There are currently 32,514 veterans in Illinois who receive military retirement benefits and the average yearly benefit is $15,800.


Click Here for More Information

Report: The Disabled Veterans Tax Impacts Thousands of Veterans in Illinois

Additional Information: The Disabled Veterans Tax Hurts Illinois Veterans

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