Washington, D.C. - The American Legion, a veterans organization with 2.4 million members, has written to Senators Dean Heller (R-NV) and Susan Collins (R-ME) announcing its support for the Responsible Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2014 (S. 1931). The bill, authored by Senators Heller and Collins, would pay for the repeal of recent cuts in the military retiree cost-of-living adjustment in addition to fully paying for an extension of unemployment insurance benefits.
"I am so pleased that the American Legion has endorsed the Responsible Unemployment Compensation Extension Act and hope that it provides helpful momentum for this important bill. This legislation not only extends unemployment insurance, it also ensures that our nation's military retirees and their families receive the benefits they earned and deserve. Our nation's heroes and their families have made incredible sacrifices and we owe them our full support. I am grateful to Senator Collins for her work on this bill as well as to Senator Ayotte, who has been a persistent and extremely powerful advocate on this issue," said Senator Dean Heller.
"I am disappointed that December's budget agreement includes a reduction in the annual cost-of-living increase for retired military members who are still of working age," said Senator Collins. "I oppose changes to military compensation that would break faith with current retirees who have faithfully served our nation. I am pleased to have the support of the American Legion as we work to repeal this unfair provision and extend the temporary federal long-term unemployment insurance program."
The bill, which was introduced yesterday, is based on a package that Heller and these seven Republicans filed earlier this week as a way to fully pay for extending unemployment benefits during consideration of S. 1845. Following the Senate Majority's rejection of that alternative, the Senators introduced the legislation as a stand-alone bill.
Senators Rob Portman (R-OH), Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), Dan Coats (R-IN), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Johnny Isakson (R-GA), and John Hoeven (R-ND) cosponsored the bill.
For a copy of the endorsement letter, click here.