Fortenberry Backs Solution to National Guard Benefit Discrepancy

Washington, DC - Congressman Jeff Fortenberry has joined with colleagues from Iowa and Minnesota in cosponsoring the Guaranteed Benefits for Our Troops Act.  This legislation, H.R. 6723, would solve a discrepancy in respite leave benefit provisions affecting National Guard and Army Reserve soldiers under the Department of Defense’s Post Deployment and Mobilization Respite Absence (PDMRA) program.

“We have an obligation to ensure those who have served our country are given the benefits they are owed,” Fortenberry said. “This legislation will ensure that our service men and women receive the benefits they have earned.”

H.R. 6723 would offer restitution for current and former military members whose respite benefits were impacted by a delay in the PDMRA program implementation.  More than 21,000 troops nationwide were affected, nearly 200 of whom were members of the Nebraska Army National Guard.  The affected troops were deployed or mobilized on or after January 19, 2007, through August 15, 2007.

###