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CVA Thanks Rep. McCarthy for Standing by Veterans

By Concerned Veterans for America

Arlington, VA – Concerned Veterans for America (CVA) applauds House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) for standing by veterans through the Pentagon’s recently-exposed bonus repayment scandal at the California National Guard.

Thousands of soldiers in California – many of whom served multiple combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan – were ordered to repay enlistment bonuses given to them by the Pentagon over a decade ago. If the veterans were unable to pay back the money, the Pentagon planned to use interest charges, wage garnishments, and tax liens to recoup it.  

Rep. McCarthy says, “This should have never been a problem” McCarthy is advocating for legislation that will provide “a long-term solution so this never happens again.”  Yesterday, the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform launched an investigation on this issue.

Concerned Veterans for America (CVA) Executive Director Mark Lucas issued the following statement:

McCarthy is right: this should have never been a problem. Our veterans have given enough for this nation and, at a minimum, they deserve a Congress who will protect them from future government fraud, abuse, and failure. Secretary Carter’s acknowledgement of the problem is a step in the right direction, but a far cry from a real solution. McCarthy and members of Congress on both sides of the aisle must work together here on behalf of veterans affected by this scandal here in California and potentially in other states across the country.

CVA is urging members of Congress to act quickly to waive the bonus repayments and find a long-term legislative solution that will protect our nation’s veterans from future government fraud and abuse.

The California Guard has a history of bonus overpayments and fund mismanagement.  

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