Heitkamp Votes to Reinstate Full Military Retiree Benefits

Statement

U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today released the following statement after she voted for legislation to restore cost of living adjustments for military retirees. The bill passed and now goes to the President for his signature.

"In December, the Senate came together to pass a bipartisan two-year budget agreement. This helped reduce our deficit, and provided much-needed certainty to our economy. However, as I said when it passed, that deal was by no means perfect, and it wasn't the bill I would have written. I would not have included language put forth by other members -- Republicans and Democrats -- to reduce the cost-of-living increases in benefits that go to military retirees under age 62. That's why I cosponsored legislation to reverse these cuts, as we shouldn't reduce the deficit on the backs of those who willingly risked their lives to defend each of us. And today, I voted to make sure all military retirees get the full benefits they earned and were promised."

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