(Reprinted from The Macon Telegraph of Wednesday, July 30, 2003)

Concurrent receipt stalled, but supporters hopeful

By Gene Rector
Telegraph Staff Writer

WARNER ROBINS - Concurrent receipt advocates were in a holding pattern Tuesday, hoping that pressure from veterans groups will bring the long-awaited measure to a full vote in the U.S. House of Representatives.

A discharge petition, introduced by Rep. Jim Marshall, D-Macon, is stalled at 202 signatures, 16 short of the number required to force a vote on H.R. 303, a bill authored by Rep. Mike Bilirakis, R-Fla. Support is split along party lines with only one Republican - Rep. Thomas Tancredo of Colorado - signing the petition.

Bilirakis' legislation would overturn an 1891 law that prohibits disabled veterans from receiving both military retired pay and disability compensation from the Veterans Administration. More than 500,000 disabled veterans nationwide are impacted.

The U.S. Senate included support for full concurrent receipt in its version of the 2004 Defense Authorization Bill, but the House did not follow suit. Congress has repeatedly defeated the measure during the past 16 years, although a narrow application was approved last year for veterans with severe, combat related injuries. The Bush administration has threatened to veto a defense bill this year containing the legislation.

Doug Moore, Marshall's press aide, said pressure from veterans groups is having an impact on Republican leaders in the House.

"In the last couple of weeks, we've seen a number of 'dear colleague' letters," Moore said. "Some of the members are receiving a lot of heat and they're talking to Speaker (Dennis) Hastert to allow something to come up for a vote."

Mike Jordan, government relations deputy director for the Military Officers Association of America, said Marshall's petition has definitely put pressure on the Republicans.

"They are getting mail from their veteran constituents asking how they can co-sponsor H.R. 303 and not sign the discharge petition," he said. Bilirakis' bill, introduced in January, has more than 300 co-sponsors.

Jordan, speaking from his Alexandria, Va., office, said he believes a number of Republicans may sign the petition if the administration's position does not soften.

"How much of what I'm hearing is rhetoric, political maneuvering or action I don't know," he said. "But I do know the discharge petition has caused things to move forward."

Jordan expects at least some movement this year. "Maybe they'll take last year's provision for combat related special compensation and expand it to reservists who were left out. That was an oversight in my mind. I think that will happen as a rock solid minimum," he said.

But a major breakthrough is not likely this year, Jordan admits, although he says Republicans are talking to the administration and saying, "We've got to do something."

Cost is one consideration. Full concurrent receipt would cost an estimated $3.66 billion per year for 546,222 disabled military retirees. Jordan also believes priorities are a factor.

"They can spend money on survivor benefits, active duty pay and housing," Jordan said, "and they can also spend it on disabled retirees. Money is key, but I think there are some philosophical differences in the various camps."

Moore said Marshall plans to continue pressing for action. "He'll be speaking at a number of veterans group national conventions about this issue," he said. "American Legion, VFW, Navy League, Vietnam Veterans are some of them."