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Bishop Introduces 'Disabled Veterans Tax Termination Act'

January 20, 2011

Washington, DC – Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-2), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veteran Affairs, announced today his introduction of H.R. 333, the Disabled Veterans Tax Termination Act. This legislation will end finally the current policy that wrongfully prevents disabled veterans from receiving the full amount of compensation earned by them through their service and sacrifice to our country. H.R. 333 has 72 original co-sponsors.

“Veterans who have been injured during their service to our country have rightfully earned their military retirement pay and VA disability benefits,” said Congressman Bishop. “It is unjust that our current policies effectively tax these Americans, taking money right out of their pockets.”

The Disabled Veterans Tax Termination Act provides for a comprehensive solution to the concurrent receipt problem facing members of our nation's Armed Services. Concurrent receipt refers to when a veteran receives income from both VA disability compensation and military retirement pay. Under current law, many veterans face a dollar-for-dollar offset on their military retirement pay based on their VA disability compensation, despite having rightfully earned both benefits through their service and sacrifice to our country.

The legislation would permit retired service members who have a service-connected disability rated less than 50% to receive concurrent payment of both retired pay and veterans’ disability compensation. The bill also accelerates the phase-in period for current concurrent receipt provisions, and makes permanent concurrent receipt eligibility for Chapter 61 disability retirees with less than 20 years of service.

“I am proud to introduce legislation that would correct this injustice to our service men and women,” stated Congressman Bishop. “I am hopeful that Congress can come together to ensure that those who risk life and limb for the security of our country do not suffer the indignity of receiving less than they deserve.”

Congress has implemented a patchwork of concurrent receipt laws that have produced an incomplete solution to this issue. Previously, H.R. 333 had been introduced by Congressman Jim Marshall (2003-2011).

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