Vets group unhappy with 2 new pension bills (DAV)

[unhappycamper]

Vets group unhappy with 2 new pension bills
By Rick Maze - Staff writer
Posted : Friday Aug 3, 2007 9:28:08 EDT


A House-passed bill promising $1,000 monthly pensions to World War II veterans of the Merchant Marine is drawing fire from a major veterans’ group.

The 1.3 million-member Disabled American Veterans said Thursday that the Merchant Marine pension bill, HR 23, is too generous considering the level of benefits for military veterans. The House of Representatives approved the bill Monday.

The $1,000 pension for Merchant Mariners or their surviving spouses is more than the monthly compensation for a combat-wounded veteran with a disability rated at 60 percent. That would be the amount, for example, paid to someone with an above-the-knee amputation, DAV officials said.

“While the DAV acknowledges the bravery, sacrifice and contributions of those Merchant Mariners, we oppose offsetting the costs associated with the measure against other VA programs,” said David Gorman, executive director of DAV’s Washington headquarters.

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Cost is a major issue. The bill, called the Belated Thank You to Merchant Marines of World War II Act, would cost about $241 billion for the first year and $1.4 billion over 10 years, according to Veterans Affairs’ Department estimates.

“The DAV is concerned about the impact the legislation would have on other veterans programs that would be cut to pay for those pension benefits,” the group said in a statement.


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[babylonsister]

1. I don't even know what to think about this. nt

[unhappycamper]

2. Neither do I.

At the moment, I'm not a big fan of the DAV.