At the end of FY2006, the veterans population in the United States was approximately 24 million, and of these 17.8 million were war veterans. Congressman Thompson is and has been a consistent supporter of our armed fighting forces and veterans, making sure that these more 24 million heroes get the services they deserve.
Congressman Thompson is a supporter of the “GI Bill of Rights for the 21st Century”. This is a comprehensive package of legislation to improve benefits for our men and women in uniform and for the nation’s military retirees and veterans. This legislation will bolster support for our troops in harms way and their families here at home. In addition, included are special provisions for the National Guard and Reserves that provide better education, health care and job training to these men and women whose service has been above the call of duty.
Congressman Thompson has been an advocate and supporter of the Wounded Warrior Assistance Act, which takes the first steps to address the problems brought to light by the Walter Reed Army Medical Center scandal.
· Improves outpatient medical care for wounded service members at military health care facilities;
· Begins restoring integrity and efficiency to disability evaluations and cutting bureaucratic red-tape; and
· Improves the transition of wounded service members from the Armed Forces to the VA system.
Congressman Thompson supports legislation providing a pay raise for the troops.
· Provides all service members a pay raise of 3.5 percent – as well as special pay and bonuses to combat troops, putting $7.3 billion in military paychecks of over the next five years. The Administration opposes this increase, calling it “unnecessary.”
· For a corporal– this would provide a $756/year raise -- $108 more than the President, and for a captain/mid-level officer – it would be a $1,932/yr raise -- $276 more than the President.
Congressman Thompson salutes the courage and hard work of our troops and will continue to push for efforts that provide our service members and veterans with the best equipment, health, and pension benefits we have to offer.
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