CONGRESSMAN
COLLIN C. PETERSON
Minnesota - 7th District       http://www.house.gov/collinpeterson/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 20, 2003
CONTACT: Allison Myhre/218-847-5056 or 218-731-1657

(WASHINGTON, DC) - U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson joined with colleagues to force a vote on the Retired Pay Restoration Act that would allow disabled veterans to receive their full retirement pay as well as their full disability pay. Currently, a veteran retired from the Armed Forces on the basis of length of service must waive his or her retirement pay to receive disability benefits from the Veterans Administration.

“This is a matter of fairness,” Peterson said. “We should recognize the sacrifices that our disabled veterans have made and allow them to receive the compensation they deserve.”

Peterson signed a discharge petition that would force a vote on the bill, commonly known as Concurrent Receipt, if signed by 218 members. Normally a bill is referred to committee and House leadership determines whether the bill is considered. With 338 co-sponsors of the legislation, Peterson is hoping everyone who supports the measure will sign on to the petition.

“This discharge petition is the best chance to get Concurrent Receipt through the House,” Peterson said. “I’m encouraging all the members of Minnesota’s delegation to get on board so we can have a vote on this issue.”

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