Filipino WWII Veterans Bill Stalled

Filipino WWII Veterans Bill Stalled

The final days of the campaign to restore US veterans status to Filipino WWII veterans in the 110th Congress did not net the hoped for results.  S. 1315, the "Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act" containing a provision to provide benefits for Filipino WWII veterans that passed in the Senate 96 to 1 in April, was finally taken up and passed in the House of Representatives WITHOUT the provisions for Filipino veterans. Incredibly, in an effort to get the bill out of Congress, mandatory expenditures like the Filipino provision were dropped from the bill.

The next day the House passed by a vote of 392 to 23, HR 6897, legislation that provides a lump sum payment to Filipino WWII veterans in the amount of $15,000 for veterans in the US and $9000 for the veterans in the Philippines. This bill must still go to the Senate, but the likelihood of action is slim, given how late we are in the legislative year.

Advocates are outraged that the House version of S. 1315 does not contain the provisions for Filipino WWII veterans.  We have also expressed our objections to HR 6897. As an alternative bill, HR 6897, is lacking for a number of reasons: the amounts proposed are insufficient and cannot sustain a veteran for even a year, and ironically enough, the influx of cash will mean a break in a veteran’s eligibility for Medicare and disability benefits.

But the fight is not over until the 110th Congress adjourns in December 2008.  Because the House and Senate versions of S. 1315 differ, a conference committee could be called to reconcile the bills, creating an opportunity to restore the Filipino provisions to the final language of the bill.  Senator Akaka’s (D-HI) first attempt at convening a conference committee was blocked by Senator Burr (R-NC). We need to let Senator Burr know that we want him to stop being an obstacle to justice for the Filipino WWII veterans.

So, we need everyone to stay focused on the political task at hand. This urgent action is needed! Please ACT NOW!

What YOU can do today:

1. Call Senator Burr who leads the opposition in the Senate office at (202) 224-3154 and Representative Buyer (R-IN) who leads the opposition in the House at (202) 225-5037. Both are ignorant of the contributions of the Filipinos during WWII. Our message is short, but clear: Stop the on-going discrimination against Filipino WWII veterans. Restore equal status for Filipino WWII veterans today.

2. Please also urge Senators Akaka and Reid (D-NV), Speaker Pelosi and Representative Filner in the House not to give up the fight, and continue their efforts to restore equal status to the Filipino WWII veterans in this 110th Congress. Call the Capitol Hill switchboard at (202) 224-3121 to be connected to any of these members at their DC offices.

Please stay tuned and be ready to act as this could experience new developments in a few days. For more information, contact Lillian at FAA at (510) 465-9876×308 or Ben de Guzman, National Coordinator of NAFVE at (202) 422-4909. Email Ben at [email protected]