Wittman Supports Restoration of Veterans' Benefits

Representative Rob Wittman (VA-1) applauded a House vote today to restore cuts to cost of living adjustments for military retirees. Cuts to the COLAs were included in the Bipartisan Budget Act, H.J.Res. 59, passed in December 2013.

"Veterans should not feel as though they are bargaining chips in a game of legislative poker," Wittman said. "We cannot balance the budget on the backs of the servicemembers who have given their all for our country. I was vehemently opposed to the provision in the Bipartisan Budget Act and I am pleased that today the House took action to remedy this issue for our veterans and their families."

Wittman, Chairman of the House Armed Services Readiness Subcommittee, has been outspoken on his opposition to the provision, and has authored legislation, H.R. 3792,to restore the cuts. He supported legislation in January 2014 that partially restored the cuts for medically-retired personnel and survivor benefit plan recipients. In addition, he wrote House Armed Services Committee Chairman McKeon, asking for his commitment to address this issue before it goes into effect at the end of 2014. Wittman also joined House Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Jeff Miller in introducing two similar bills: 1) legislation that would strike Section 403 of the Bipartisan Budget Act and therefore eliminate any cuts to COLAs attached to military retirement payments; and 2) legislation that would clarify and exempt all veterans who medically retire, those who receive Combat Related Specialty Compensation (CRSC), and those who receive Concurrent Receipt Pay (CRDP) from any impact of Section 403 on their disability pension.

Congressman Rob Wittman represents the First District of Virginia. He serves on the House Natural Resources Committee and the House Armed Services Committee where he is the Chairman of the Readiness Subcommittee.

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