Veterans

During his tenure as U.S. Representative, Congressman Petri has supported legislation to provide veterans with the benefits they have been promised and, more importantly, that they deserve for their service and sacrifice protecting our great nation.

Concurrent Receipt

One of the most important issues to disabled veterans across the country has been the concurrent receipt of military retiree and veterans disability benefits. For over a century, various laws have prohibited military retirees from receiving both a retirement pension and veterans disability compensation. Past law required that military retirees have their retirement benefits reduced dollar for dollar by any veterans disability compensation they receive. Only military retirees were subject to this reduction. Retirees who receive a pension from other employment, including civilian federal employment, can receive both their veterans disability benefits and their full retirement benefit.

The 109th Congress made an historic breakthrough on the issue of "concurrent receipt" for disabled military retirees. As a result of important legislation passed in 2005, an estimated 250,000 disabled military retirees will receive $22 billion in additional retirement payments over the next ten years.

While this is a step forward, it still leaves too many veterans without the ability to receive the benefits they have earned. This is why Rep. Petri is a cosponsor of H.R. 303, the Retired Pay Restoration Act of 2005, which would allow full payment of both benefits to military retirees. Military retirees should not be treated differently than those who have earned retirement benefits through any other career in the federal government or the private sector.

Wounded Warriors Bill

Rep. Petri is a co-sponsor of the the Wounded Warriors Commission Implementation Act, H.R. 3502. This bill would implement the recommendations of the Commission on Care for America's Returning Wounded Warriors, which was formed by the President and led by former Senator Bob Dole and our own Donna Shalala (former Chancellor of UW Madison and Secretary of Health and Human Services). They were tasked with recommending improvements to troop and veteran care following the discovery of deplorable conditions at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington.

The President has instructed the Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs to implement those Commission recommendations that can be done so administratively. It is now up to Congress to pass legislation to implement the remaining recommendations to continue to streamline procedures and ensure these men and women receive the proper treatment and earned benefits.

Rep. Petri will continue to follow developments and support efforts to improve care and service to our troops currently serving, as well as veterans in need. We are a free nation because of those who serve, and we must take concrete steps to demonstrate that we are a grateful nation as well.