OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Letter to The Hon. John McCain, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Armed Services, the Hon. Jack Reed, Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Armed Services, the Hon. Mac Thomberry, Chairman of the House Committee on Armed Services, and the Hon. Adam Smith Ranking Member of the House Committee on Armed Services - Enlistment Bonuses

Letter

Date: Oct. 24, 2016
Issues: Military Personnel Veterans

Dear Chairman McCain, Ranking Member Reed, Chairman Thornberry, and Ranking Member
Smith,

As a conferee for House Judiciary Committee for the National Defense Authorization Act
(NDAA), I write to request that the bill include a provision to fix the California National
Guard's outrageous decision to punish nearly 10,000 current and retired veterans for the
incompetence and wrongdoing of others.

On October 22, 2016, the Los Angeles Times reported that nearly 10,000 soldiers in the
California National Guard have been ordered to repay enlistment bonuses of $15,000 or more
that they were granted, in return for enlisting or reenlisting in the Guard during the peak of the
wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Due to extreme mismanagement of this bonus program that was
discovered in subsequent years, the Department of Defense has decided to renege on its
commitment and order the repayment of these enlistment bonuses.

This is an undue financial hardship that veterans who enlisted and went to war simply do not
deserve. Although California Guard officials have pledged to work with veterans that wish to
file appeals to the National Guard Bureau and the Army Board for Correction of Military
Records to clear these debts, this is insufficient. Accountability demands much more. This is
not how any veteran should be treated.It is unconscionable that the burden of bureaucratic malfeasance and corruption over a decade

ago is being borne by heroes who stepped forward, put themselves in harm's way and fought
to keep our nation safe.

Therefore, I request specific language to waive the unjust penalty be included in the final 2017
NDAA. I stand ready to work with you to resolve this veteran hardship promptly. I appreciate
you time and attention to this most important matter.


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