H.R.303 - Retired Pay Restoration Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R. 303, the Retired Pay Restoration Act, aims to amend Title 10 of the United States Code to allow more retired members of the Armed Forces with service-connected disabilities to receive both disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs and either retired pay or combat-related special compensation. The bill seeks to eliminate the offset that reduces retired pay by the amount of disability compensation received, extending concurrent receipt authority to retirees with service-connected disabilities rated less than 50 percent.
Expected Effects
The likely effect of this bill is an increase in the financial benefits received by disabled military retirees. This would specifically impact those with service-connected disabilities rated less than 50 percent. It also reflects a broader congressional intent to ease financial burdens on disabled military retirees.
Potential Benefits
- Increased financial security for disabled military retirees.
- Recognition of the sacrifices made by veterans with service-connected disabilities.
- Simplification of the compensation system by reducing offsets.
- Potential for improved morale among retired military personnel.
- Correction of a perceived inequity in the treatment of disabled veterans.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential increase in government spending on veterans' benefits.
- Possible strain on the Department of Veterans Affairs budget.
- Could create new eligibility thresholds that some retirees may still find disappointing.
- May incentivize some to seek disability ratings to increase overall compensation.
- Risk of overlooking other areas of need within the veteran community due to increased spending in this area.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the constitutional mandate to provide for the common defense and promote the general welfare, as articulated in the Preamble. Congress has the power to raise and support armies (Article I, Section 8, Clause 12) and to provide for veterans. The bill's provisions appear consistent with these enumerated powers, as it seeks to improve the financial well-being of veterans who have served in the armed forces.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).