VFW Strongly Opposes New Tax on Troops
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (April 18, 2017) — The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is strongly
opposed to a congressional proposal to reinstate GI Bill enrollment fees on service members.
Prior
to 2009, troops had the option of paying into the Montgomery GI Bill,
an educational benefit created during peacetime that came with a $1,200
non-reimbursable enrollment
fee. As the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan continued, Congress worked
with the VFW and others to create what is now known as the Post-9/11 GI
Bill. This benefit, like other military and veteran benefits such as
health care, is earned through honorable service
– not through out-of-pocket fees. But now, while American forces are
still actively fighting in the war on terrorism, Congress wants to claw
back this critical educational benefit and charge veterans twice as much
to access their GI Bill benefits.
"We
are still a nation at war. We have troops actively engaged in Iraq, in
Afghanistan, and now in Syria,” said VFW National Commander Brian Duffy.
"The war on terrorism
is not over! Congress’ focus should be on defeating our enemies and
ending the war, not cutting the benefits of those who are fighting it.”
With
impending changes to TRICARE and retirement benefits, this proposed tax
on troops would force the brave men and women who join the military
beginning Jan. 1, 2018,
to choose between health care, retirement and education benefits.
"This
new tax on troops is absurd. Ensuring veterans are able to successfully
transition back to civilian life after military service is a cost of
war; and not a fee that
Congress can just pass along to our troops,” he said. "Congress must
stop nickeling and diming America’s service members and veterans!”
This draft legislation is expected to be introduced by House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Phil Roe on Wednesday, April 26, at 10 a.m. EDT. The VFW urges every member
of Congress to oppose this tax on troops.
Join the conversation using #NoTaxOnTroops.
-vfw-
ABOUT THE VFW: The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is the nation's
largest and oldest major war veterans organization. Founded in 1899 and
chartered by Congress in 1936, the VFW is comprised entirely of
eligible veterans and military service members from the active, Guard
and Reserve forces. With nearly 1.7 million VFW and
Auxiliary members located in more than 6,500 Posts worldwide, the
nonprofit veterans service organization is proud to proclaim
"NO ONE DOES MORE FOR VETERANS” than the VFW, which is dedicated
to veterans’ service, legislative advocacy, and military and community
service programs. For more information or to join, visit our website at
www.vfw.org.
Contact: Randi K. Law, Manager, Communications and Public Affairs, VFW National Headquarters,
rlaw@vfw.org.