Rooney Cosponsors Bill to Block Pension Cuts for Military Retirees

Press Release

U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney (FL-17), a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, today cosponsored legislation to eliminate cuts to cost of living adjustments for military retirees that were included in the recent Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013.

"We can't break the promises we made to our troops and veterans," Rooney said. "The way we treat our veterans reflects our character as a country. We can find something else to cut to ensure that our military retirees receive their full pensions.

"I supported the bipartisan budget agreement because it was the best chance we had to keep the government open, address our deficits, and avoid dangerous cuts to our national defense. I said at the time the bill was not perfect, and clearly, the COLA reductions are something that we need to go back and address. This legislation will give us a chance to reach a new, bipartisan agreement that cuts spending, but not on the backs of our veterans."

The bill, HR 3790, would eliminate the Bipartisan Budget Act's COLA reduction for all military retirees. It was introduced by Rep. Jeff Miller (FL-01), Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs. Rooney supported the recent omnibus appropriations committee package, which included a measure he cosponsored to begin the process of rolling back the COLA reductions by ensuring disabled veterans and surviving families receive their full pensions.

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