Political Quotes

“I rise today with Senators McCain, Dorgan, Inhofe, Bill Nelson, Jeffords, Collins, Edwards, Bingaman, and Murray to offer an amendment on behalf of our Nation's disabled veterans. This amendment would end the longstanding injustice that prevents disabled veterans from drawing the disability compensation and retirement pay they have rightfully earned. It sounds unusual, but it is true. This prohibition on 'concurrent receipt' has plagued our veterans for more than a hundred years. First, I thank Senators Levin and Warner for their support on this issue year after year. As a result of their dedication, deliberation and fairness in conference, we have been able to make some progress each year, and I commend them for the work they have done. The establishment of the special compensation programs has ensured that about 30,000 veterans can receive the benefit of both retirement pay and disability pay. But there are still hundreds of thousands of disabled veterans who need our help. Many people wonder why we return to this issue year after year in an attempt to keep this fight alive. After all, the White House and the Pentagon are opposed to concurrent receipt, and we are told by OMB there is no money for it. So why take up the struggle year after year in this environment? For me, it is simply a matter of fairness.”