Congresses’ decision to reduce COLA for veterans!

DENVER - Dec. 19, 2013 - PRLog -- The American Legion voiced its outrage over budget cuts on military retirees’ benefits at a Dec. 18 press conference in Washington. The U.S. Senate had just passed the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013, which – if signed by the president – will reduce cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) benefits for America’s retired veterans by more than $6 billion.

The bill was worked out between Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., and Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., and passed the Senate by a 64-36 vote. Murray and Ryan claim the measure will drop the country’s deficit by $23 billion and reduce the impact of sequestration.

“Passing this broken legislation today was wrong,” Louis Celli, the Legion’s Legislative director said at the press conference. “It was wrong because (the Senate) had time to fix it, and ... chose not to.”

While several bills have already been introduced into Congress to repeal the COLA cuts, “some who seek to ‘technically fix’ this provision are only looking to repeal the portion that affects medically retired veterans,” Celli said. “I guess the rest of the military retirees aren’t worth the trouble to fix.”

The reductions in COLA benefits would affect about 900,000 military retirees, including those who are medically retired. Over a 10-year period, COLA benefits would be reduced by 1 percent per year, resulting in a total savings of $6.3 billion.

Noting that the 113th Congress has passed only 58 pieces of legislation out of more than 6,600 introduced, Celli said, “And now we’re supposed to put our faith and trust in the same Congress to pass a law that overturns this (COLA provision), when they were unable to fix it in the first place? Make no mistake – The American Legion will dedicate every available resource to repealing and overturning this provision.

”The day would go down in history as the day Congress turned their backs on veterans everywhere by selling out 0.2 percent of the American population and asking them to be held financially responsible to pay for sequestration.”

National Commander Daniel M. Dellinger said he is "absolutely sickened by the thought that the only group targeted by the budget bill to lose direct income is the American veteran, including veterans who have been medically retired from military service due to catastrophic injuries sustained in battle."

“Can someone give me a good reason why the government is targeting the American Veteran?” asked American Legion, Department of Colorado Commander Carol Kennedy after watching news broadcasts about this historic Senate bipartisan event. She states “These are the very veterans that have fought and died for this form of government, this is nothing more than a royal screw job on them.”

Many other programs could be restricted, including salaries and benefits of the Senators and Representatives that are voting to take more money from active duty and veterans. They don't live on food stamps and WIC funds and don't sleep in cardboard boxes or on the streets.

“The American Legion, Department of Colorado is thoroughly PO’d that the Senate passed this bill yesterday - December18 – A bill that is treating a single group of Americans unfairly, veterans who have served honorably in uniform,” states Commander Kennedy.

Commander Kennedy asked “When will this trash stop?? It won’t until every civilian stands up and forces it to STOP.” Kennedy said further that “It’s in your hands —do something now—or don’t come crying to your active duty and veterans when the next round of terrorism starts on American soil.”

You elected this so called congress—you can make them fix this. Remember, politicians, only respect you and this organization when our membership is great enough to effect change.

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For more information contact Darrell Myers, Public Relations Officer, at 303-366-5201 or by e-mail at observer@coloradolegion.org