Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Hartzler co-sponsoring bill to restore cuts in military pensions

(From Fourth District Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler)

Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-4) is taking action to repeal the reductions in military retirement pensions that were part of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013. She is co-sponsoring legislation that will replace the $6 billion cut to military retiree pensions with a requirement that Social Security numbers be provided by people claiming the child tax credit on their income tax returns.
 “The 2013 Budget Act was a positive step in the right direction,” said Hartzler. "The bill restores $30 billion in vital defense spending, reduces the deficit by $23 billion without raising taxes, and bring about budget certainty for the next two years. However, one of the ways it pays for these changes is through decreases in the cost-of-living adjustment for military retirees under age 62. This change violates the principle of ‘Promises Made; Promises Kept’ and must be rectified before this provision takes effect in January of 2016.”
 “The bill I co-sponsor reinstates the full cost-of-living pension benefits by prohibiting those who are not authorized to work in the United States from claiming the child tax credit,” continued Hartzler. “The Joint Committee on Taxation reported that this change would save $7.6 billion over 10 years, which is more than enough to cover the $6 billion cut to military retiree pensions.”
 “Now is the time to act,” added Hartzler. “This legislative remedy will restore full retirement benefits to our men and women in uniform. This is th eleast we can do to demonstrate our support for America’s troops, retirees, and veterans.”

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