Collin Peterson: “I rise today to support the Gutknecht amendment along with my fellow MN Colleagues. In January these soldiers wrote to…”

“I rise today to support the Gutknecht amendment along with my fellow MN Colleagues. In January these soldiers wrote to me and every member of the MN delegation asking for help. And I believe as their representatives we have an obligation to address their concerns. This amendment will correct a technicality that is affecting 400 Minnesota National Guardsmen who are now serving in Iraq. And who knows how many other hundreds or even thousands of reservists all over the country have fallen victim to a similar technicality . Most of these soldiers had previously served on active duty in 2003, some in Bosnia and the others in Kosovo. The two groups were activated by different orders and now both of these groups are activated together under the same order in Iraq. The soldiers who served in Bosnia are not eligible for the extra $1,000 per month in incentive pay because their tours cannot be added together due to a mere technicality. This issue is about fairness. Unless something is done to change this Army policy, these soldiers and their families will lose out on $6,000 to $7,000 in extra pay. They are making a huge sacrifice for our country and this is the least we can and should do for these men and women.”