O'Neill: 'We Must Stop
Abandoning Our Soldiers'
Bipartisan bill in Congress would ensure
that injured veterans receive bonuses
CHAGRIN FALLS, Ohio - Democratic Congressional Candidate Bill O'Neill (D-South Russell), who was awarded the Bronze Star for his service in Vietnam and whose son Shawn served in both Afghanistan and Iraq, criticized the Bush Administration and Rep. Steve LaTourette today over a loophole that allows the U.S. Government to bill injured veterans sent home. The government has been insisting that the injured troops return their enlistment bonuses.
"I received word yesterday from a soldier overseas that the Department of Defense has been billing wounded soldiers - asking them to refund their enlistment bonuses if their injury prevents them from completing their full term," O'Neill said. "You don't have to have served your country to be offended by a policy like this. When a soldier is injured in the line of duty we are all wounded. To me this is an insult."
A bipartisan bill (H.R. 3793), sponsored by Rep. Jason Altmire (D-Pa.) with more than 200 cosponsors would mandate the practice be terminated immediately.
"The bottom line is we must stop abandoning our soldiers," O'Neill said. "It is an outrage to force a soldier wounded in battle to give back his enlistment bonus. Our troops have made great sacrifices for their country and we must do everything we can to honor that service. At a minimum we must keep our word."
O'Neill also noted that his opponent was not among the bill's 219 cosponsors.
"Why is it that Steve LaTourette will vote consistently against efforts to bring accountability to this war, but he has so far failed to cosponsor this critical bill for those serving our country?" he said. "Northeast Ohio - and the men and women serving our country - deserve better."
O'Neill stepped down from the 11th District of the Ohio Court of Appeals in June to announce his candidacy for Congress. He retired from the Army in 1996 as a lieutenant colonel and was inducted earlier this month into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame.
CONTACT:
* Toby Fallsgraff, 440-247-7340, toby-AT-oneill08.com