On the recordDecember 2, 2015
The Department of Defense transfers a veteran's service record to the National Archives 62 years after they are discharged from the military. 100,000 archived records per year are requested--to determine eligibility for a medal, to research one's medical history, or to request a change in discharge status. The Department of Defense provides records to veterans for free, but once the records are sent to the Archives, veterans are charged $25 to $75 for a copy of their file. Mr. Speaker, this is unacceptable that a veteran should have to pay the government for proof of their sacrifice and service. What is more, this fee is levied on veterans who are most likely living on a fixed income. This fee is unnecessary and inexcusable, and I ask my colleagues to support legislation that I am introducing today to eliminate it. ____________________
