Ranking Member Takano Warns Against Republican Bid to Strip Veterans of Their Disability Benefits

WASHINGTON – Today, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Ranking Member Mark Takano condemned the Republican package H.R. 9237 and S. 4744, the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act, that was introduced in the wake of his filing the Major Richard Star Act discharge petition with cosponsor, Congressman Raul Ruiz (CA-25). This package would cut at least $60 billion from veterans' benefits over the next ten years.

"Veterans have demanded an end to the wounded veterans’ tax for years, and we are five signatures away from forcing a clean vote on the Major Richard Star Act. Then Republicans introduced this package. The timing tells you everything: this is a distraction," said Ranking Member Takano. “Worse, it’s a distraction veterans would pay for. The Republican plan cuts existing veterans’ benefits to fund new ones—asking the next generation of veterans to pick up the tab for the last. That’s not progress; that’s a shell game that takes money out of veterans’ pockets. Caring for veterans is the cost of war. We cannot make compromises on the backs of veterans. We cannot water down progress on the Major Richard Star Act. And we certainly cannot accept the proposed funding mechanism, that would strike existing veterans’ benefits to pay for the ones we’re fighting for. I won't accept a watered-down substitute when the real thing is within reach. The path forward is simple: sign the discharge petition and pass the Major Richard Star Act."

Veterans Service Organizations, including Veterans of Foreign Wars and Disabled American Veterans, oppose the Republican package:

"The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) strongly opposes the Take Care of America's Veterans Act as currently drafted because it asks future disabled veterans to bear the cost of expanding benefits through changing the VA rating schedule for tinnitus and obstructive sleep apnea—common conditions associated with combat poly trauma. The VFW has long maintained that veterans' benefits are an earned obligation of the nation, a promise made through the military service contract, and should not be financed through offsets, fee increases, or reductions that place additional burdens on veterans, military families, and survivors. Congress should Honor the Contract and strengthen veterans' programs without creating new costs for those who sacrifice in service to our country. A grateful nation pays its debts to veterans—it does not send them the invoice," said VFW National Commander Carol Whitmore.

"The proposal would effectively stop compensating veterans for the impact of service-connected tinnitus and dramatically reduce compensation for most disabled veterans suffering from sleep apnea if they use a medical device (CPAP) while sleeping. These changes would apply to all new claims as well as any reassessments or reevaluations of existing claims. Eliminating compensation for sleep apnea and tinnitus is not a reflection of improved outcomes for veterans—it is a budget-driven decision that shifts the burden onto those who have already sacrificed in service to our nation. This ‘poison pill’ was included in a larger veterans package that includes a number of key DAV priorities, including the Major Richard Star Act, increases for survivors benefits and catastrophically disabled veterans special monthly compensation (SMC) payments, expanded support for family caregivers, improvements in prosthetic equipment, and a number of other provisions DAV has been fighting to enact. A grateful nation should never try to balance its budget on the backs of the men and women who sacrificed so much for our freedom. It’s time for Congress to end the use of PAYGO for veterans benefits. As the voice of the millions of veterans DAV represents, we will not stand by while budgetary considerations are placed above the well-being of all those who served," said DAV National Commander Coleman Nee.

The Major Richard Star Act is supported by Wounded Warrior Project, Disabled American Veterans, Veterans Justice Alliance, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Military Officers Association of America, Vietnam Veterans of America, Reserve Organization of America, National Guard Association of the United States, Blue Star Families, Fleet Reserve Association, Jewish War Veterans, Elizabeth Dole Foundation, Team Rubicon, Student Veterans of America, Blinded Veterans Association, Non Commissioned Officers Association, Military Family Association, Air Force Sergeants Association, Association of the U.S. Army, U.S. Army Warrant Officers Association, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, National Defense Committee, Mission Roll Call, and a number of other Veterans Service and Advocacy Organizations.

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