Issue Position: Veterans and Military Families

Issue Position

Congressman Barrow believes it's critical that America keeps the promises made to the men and women who have served in uniform - those who served our country years ago and those soldiers who are just coming home today from service in Iraq and Afghanistan. In Congress, John has been a steadfast supporter of America's veterans, consistently voting to make sure America keeps its commitments to our veterans, and opposing unfair cuts in VA benefits and healthcare:

* Fought to stop the President's proposed TRICARE fee increases.

* Cosponsored the Military Retirees Health Care Protection Act, to require full Congressional approval before allowing any future increases in TRICARE premiums.

* Working to force a vote on eliminating the disabeled veteran's tax.

John Barrow also introduced the "Disabled Veterans Fairness Act" in 2005 - new legislation to bring some fairness to the mileage reimbursement rates for disabeled veterans. John's bill would bring the outdated mileage reimbursement in line with the current requirements for federal employees. Presently, the mileage rate for veterans has not been raised since 1977 and is set at an insulting $0.11 per mile.

So far, John's bill has received bipartisan support in Congress and has been endorsed by organizations such as the Disabled American Veterans and Paralyzed Veterans of America.

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