Stop Congress from Reducing the Quality of Life of our Military Members and Veterans
Congress wants to pay for the war on Terror by cutting the pay and benefits of those who selflessly fought the war. Let's make sure that Congress knows it is unconscionable to send our men and women to war and then cut their benefits to pay for it.
Recently, when Congress voted to raise the nation?s debt ceiling, they targeted national security spending to absorb many of the cuts, and specifically they cited that personnel programs and VA benefits would not be spared.
Leaders in Congress have already discussed cutting or eliminating 10 benefits affecting military members, veterans and their families in recent months, and we believe these destructive proposals will once again gain momentum as Congress looks for ways to tighten its belt.
America?s all-volunteer military has shouldered a multi-theater war all by themselves for almost 10 years. They did so without question, and often with tremendous sacrifice to themselves and their families.
Americans understand the scope of the national debt crisis; a crisis that could have serious repercussions on a military at war and a veterans' population that has already sacrificed much for the nation. However, instead of debating and enacting meaningful fiscal reforms, some in Congress have proposed plans that would leave America?s military and her veterans to shoulder more of the national debt.
This ?10 for 10? plan ? to cut 10 specific benefits to pay for 10 years of war ? is a breach of faith with America?s military and veteran families, and we will not stand for it.
The military and veteran's benefits that our country provides is unique to any other federal benefits program in that our military members for them in full and in advanced. To take them now is beyond dispicable.
We demand that congress stands united against:
Increased healthcare premiums for military retirees on TRICARE
Increased pharmaceutical fees for troops, families and retirees
The elimination of presumptive service-connected conditions for disabled and ill veterans
Disenrollment or increase fees for Department of Veterans Affairs Priority Groups 7 and 8 veterans
The reduction of cost-of-living allowances
Freezing military pay
Ending government subsidies to military commissaries
The elimination of Department of Defense elementary schools
The elimination of the 20-year military retirement plan
The elimination of DOD tuition reimbursement programs for service members
We also believe that cutting the 10 benefits could have a tremendous impact on military recruiting and readiness, and threaten the future viability of the all-volunteer force. Healthcare, education, a retirement system and family programs are critical factors in retaining talented personnel in a low-paying and extremely dangerous profession.
Leaders in Congress have already discussed cutting or eliminating 10 benefits affecting military members, veterans and their families in recent months, and we believe these destructive proposals will once again gain momentum as Congress looks for ways to tighten its belt.
America?s all-volunteer military has shouldered a multi-theater war all by themselves for almost 10 years. They did so without question, and often with tremendous sacrifice to themselves and their families.
Americans understand the scope of the national debt crisis; a crisis that could have serious repercussions on a military at war and a veterans' population that has already sacrificed much for the nation. However, instead of debating and enacting meaningful fiscal reforms, some in Congress have proposed plans that would leave America?s military and her veterans to shoulder more of the national debt.
This ?10 for 10? plan ? to cut 10 specific benefits to pay for 10 years of war ? is a breach of faith with America?s military and veteran families, and we will not stand for it.
The military and veteran's benefits that our country provides is unique to any other federal benefits program in that our military members for them in full and in advanced. To take them now is beyond dispicable.
We demand that congress stands united against:
Increased healthcare premiums for military retirees on TRICARE
Increased pharmaceutical fees for troops, families and retirees
The elimination of presumptive service-connected conditions for disabled and ill veterans
Disenrollment or increase fees for Department of Veterans Affairs Priority Groups 7 and 8 veterans
The reduction of cost-of-living allowances
Freezing military pay
Ending government subsidies to military commissaries
The elimination of Department of Defense elementary schools
The elimination of the 20-year military retirement plan
The elimination of DOD tuition reimbursement programs for service members
We also believe that cutting the 10 benefits could have a tremendous impact on military recruiting and readiness, and threaten the future viability of the all-volunteer force. Healthcare, education, a retirement system and family programs are critical factors in retaining talented personnel in a low-paying and extremely dangerous profession.
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