Academy Appointments | Disability Compensation and Retirement Pay | Presenting a Purple Heart | Warning Against Tax Scam | Honoring Families of Military Personnel | Meeting With Our Soldiers | Opposing Cuts in Veterans Funding

Disability Compensation and Retirement Pay

In June of 2003, I signed a petition in support of veterans and military retirees urging House Leaders to debate and vote on H.R. 303, the bipartisan Retired Pay Restoration Act of 2003.

Currently, veterans who retire with 20 years of honorable service, and who also have a service-related disability, are not permitted to collect both their retirement and disability benefits. H.R. 303 would immediately authorize full payment of both retirement pay and disability compensation, called "concurrent receipt," to more than 500,000 disabled veterans and military retirees. Although 326 members of the House are co-sponsors of H.R. 303 - myself included - the House Majority leadership refuses to bring it to the House floor for debate and a vote.

I believe this legislation is long overdue. Our veterans and military retirees have earned their full retirement benefits and should not be penalized for suffering an injury while serving our country.

To read more about Schiff's efforts to enact concurrent receipts legislation, please click here.

Presenting a Purple Heart

On May 26, 2003, I presented the Purple Heart military service medal to Monterey Park resident and World War II Veteran Robert M. Palomares at the Memorial Day ceremony in Monterey Park. Palomares served as a Seaman First Class in the United States Navy from November 1942 to November 1944 aboard the USS Antaeus, and the USS Landsdale. I was honored to recognize the extraordinary service of Robert M. Palomares.

On April 20, 1944 the U.S.S Landsdale was attacked by three waves of German torpedo bomber planes during escort duty in the Mediterranean. Two torpedoes missed, but a third hit the ship, wrecking the forward fire room and opening both sides to the sea. In addition, three merchant ships were hit, spilling burning oil into the water. The Lansdale took a 12-degree list to port, which later increased to 80 degrees. Despite the valiant crew's effort to control the battle damage, the ship's captain, Lt. Cmdr. D.M. Swift, ordered the crew to abandon ship. The ship broke in half and the stern sunk. Seaman Palomares jumped off the ship into the burning oiling water. After spending several hours at sea, he was picked up by a U. S. Coast Guard destroyer escort. Forty-seven crewmembers of the U.S.S. Landsdale were lost.

For a photo of Rep. Schiff presenting the Purple Heart Military Service Medal to WWII Veteran Robert Palomares, please click here.

Warning Against Tax Scam

In May of 2003, telephone callers posed as IRS employees and told members of military families that they were entitled to an "Armed Forces" refund of $4,000. The telephone caller then requested a credit card number to cover a $42 postage fee. The scammers then used the victims' credit card numbers to make numerous unauthorized purchases.

Unfortunately, these scams are far too common and I urge all Californians to be on the look out. If you think you've been a part of a tax scam, please contact your local IRS office as soon as possible. No real IRS employee will ever ask for your credit card number or require fees for the receipt of a refund.

Honoring Families of Military Personnel

In 2003, I worked with local community organizations and civic groups to co-host a Military Families Appreciation Day in support of local military families.

Our troops are bravely putting their lives on the line, and we are enormously grateful to them. While logistics make it difficult for us to send goods directly to the troops, their families are making significant sacrifices in support of our nation, and this event was one way for us to show our appreciation for the families back home.

To view a photo of Rep. Schiff's Military Families Appreciation Day event, please click here.

Meeting With Our Soldiers

In April and October of 2003, I met with U.S Army Soldiers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. It was a great honor to visit with our troops. The soldiers at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center are some of the most courageous men and women I've met in my lifetime. As they recovered, some from severe injury, all they talked about was how proud they were of their fellow soldiers overseas. I am in awe of their energy, tenacity and humility. I listened to their stories, heard about their families back home and marveled at their dedication, bravery and commitment to serving our country. I hope and pray for their speedy recovery.

Among the soldiers I visited in April were three Californians: Pfc. Fernando Gonzalez, First Ltn. Amorsolo Giancarlo and Captain Andras Marton.

Capt. Marton from San Diego was injured in Kuwait during the grenade attack on the 101st Airborne Division. During the attack, Capt. Marton instinctively put on his 'flak jacket' after awaking to the sounds of explosions and screaming. Although his lung collapsed and shrapnel wounds were significant, the flak jacket saved his life,. Before serving in Kuwait, Capt. Marton served for a time in the California National Guard at the Glendale Armory. Capt. Marton, a law student, wants to become an Assistant U.S. Attorney following his service in the U.S. Army.

To read more about my visit to troops recuperating at Walter Reed Hospital in October, 2003, please click here.

Visiting Iraq

In order to get a first-hand look at post-war Iraq, assess its immediate economic, infrastructure and humanitarian needs as well as visit with our men and women in uniform, I traveled to Iraq at the end of August 2003 as part of a bipartisan congressional delegation visit.

While in Baghdad, our delegation met with the commander of U.S. ground forces in Iraq to discuss the U.S. financial and military commitments in Iraq. We also met with troops on the ground in Baghdad, visited Iraqi hospitals and toured the Iraq police academy. I am very proud of our service members and equally impressed to see that troop morale is holding steady despite tough assignments. Our soldiers are doing incredible work; these are some truly inspiring young men and women, performing with courage and distinction in tough circumstances where it is hard to tell friend from foe.

I am concerned, however, about the extended deployment of the reserves and National Guard, in some cases as long as 20 months. If we are utilizing our guard and reserves to this degree it is going to be increasingly difficult to attract new people and retain the ones we have.

The trip gave us a valuable firsthand impression of what the conditions are like in Iraq and what our soldiers are facing on a day-to-day basis. We were also able to see up close what the Iraqi people are living with in terms of basic infrastructure, such as a reliable water and energy supply. Each day in Iraq, I had the opportunity to sit down with California troops to hear their concerns, listen to their experiences and convey to them how much we appreciate their service.

To read more about my visit to Iraq in August of 2003, please click here.

Visiting Afghanistan

I traveled to Afghanistan in the spring of 2002 as part of a bi-partisan Congressional delegation trip. We observed U.S. military operations as well as the restructuring of the Afghani government. My trip underscored the importance of continued U.S. involvement in Afghanistan and the region.

After assessing the infrastructure needs in Afghanistan, I became a supporter of the "Afghanistan Freedom Support Act of 2002," H.R. 3994 (107th) which provides aid to Afghanistan for repatriation and resettlement of refugees, counternarcotics efforts, food security programs, agriculture rehabilitation, and improved health conditions.

To view a photo of my visit to Afghanistan, please click here.

Opposing Cuts in Veterans Funding

In April 2003, I spoke out against cuts in funding for veterans benefits included in the House Budget Resolution, which narrowly passed the House of Representatives:

"Our nation is united behind one goal and one purpose: to support our men and women in uniform who are fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. Their bravery and courage is unmatched and we pray for their swift and safe return.

"Our support for our troops must continue even after those battles are won. And for those who have answered the call of duty in the past, now is not the time to renege on our commitment to them. We need to support our troops of the past in the same way we support our troops of the present.

"That's why I rise today to call attention to the terrible cuts to veteran's benefits that narrowly passed the House of Representatives as part of the Budget Resolution last week. It is unconscionable that at the same time our military men and women are fighting overseas, Congress passes legislation to pull the rug out from under them when they return.

"That's why I speak again today in opposition to the Budget Resolution that passed narrowly last week. It doesn't reflect the priorities of this Congress and it doesn't reflect the values of Americans. How can we support a budget that includes $28.8 billion in cuts to veterans programs over 10 years? How can we turn our backs on the men and women that fight to protect and defend our homeland? The answer is: we can't.

"The Disabled American Veterans, American Legion, Paralyzed Veterans of America and the bipartisan leadership of the Veterans Affairs Committee all have publicly opposed these cuts in veterans' funding and I stand with them. I support a budget alternative that provides $30.8 billion in higher funding for veterans programs over 10 years.

"In my district, I gather with hundreds of veterans each November at McCambridge Park near my home in Burbank to honor men and women who have fought for our country -- both those who have survived injuries received in battle and those who lost their lives while serving their country so proudly."

Reducing Backlog for Veterans' Benefit Claims

I cosponsored H.R. 1264 (108th), the Department of Veterans Affairs Claims Backlog Reduction Act. This legislation would reduce the vast backlog in the number of veteran claims by streamlining the process and making it more efficient.

Funding Veterans' Healthcare Programs

After a veteran serves in the Armed Forces, it is essential to ensure that VA health care programs for our nation's older veterans are adequately funded. We must help veterans pay for the increasing costs of prescription medications, and provide additional aid for VA nursing home care beds.

I have joined other Members of Congress in a letter to Speaker Hastert, to honor the commitment we owe our veterans by providing $1.8 billion for the VA healthcare system that was not included in FY 2004 appropriations bill.

Helping Veterans Secure State-Financed Home Mortgages

For veterans who served in the armed services on active duty from 1977 and after, I cosponsored H.R. 1742, a bill that would help veterans secure a state-financed home mortgage loan. This bill would allow such veterans to apply for a home mortgage loan provided by a state, such as California. Previously, veterans were unable to secure and or apply for state-financed home mortgages. Those who served should be allowed every opportunity to secure a home loan.

Proving Adequate Assistance for Military Spouses in the Time of Grief

At a time when our armed forces and their families are making great sacrifices in the defense of our nation, I was pleased to support H.R. 3365 (108th), the Military Family Tax Relief Act on the House floor in November of 2003. This bill, which was signed into law on Nov. 11, 2003, will assist the surviving family with financial aid following the death of a service member by increasing the death benefit from $6,000 to $12,000 and will make the full payment tax exempt.

Supporting Veterans' of the Korean War

Recognizing the 5.7 million Americans who fought and served during the Korean War, it was an honor for me to become a cosponsor of H.R. 1043 (108th), a bill that would grant the Korean War Veterans Association a Federal Charter, or the authority to operate as an official veteran service organization. This bill, at no cost to the federal government, is a small expression the appreciation of our nation can offer to these men and women, and it will help ensure that the "Forgotten War" is forgotten no more. A Charter would allow the Association to expand its mission by being able to connect more effectively with our nation's 25 million veterans and additional service organizations.