Rep. Jim McDermott cast his vote to support passage in the House of Representatives Sept. 23 of the Filipino Veterans Equity Act of 2008.
“I agree with those who say Congress should have done more financially in this bill, but I also believe that H.R. 6897 finally gives Filipino Veterans the honor and respect they have long deserved,” Rep. McDermott said.
The Senate has passed its own version of a Filipino Veterans bill and the two different versions will have to be worked out in a conference committee.
McDermott expressed hope that House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Bob Filner of California will work to strengthen financial provisions in the legislation during the process to reconcile the House and Senate versions.
H.R. 6897 provides for a lump sum payment of $9,000 in the case of an eligible person who is not a citizen of the United States and $15,000 in the case of an eligible person who is a citizen of the United States. These payments will be sourced from a compensation fund million to remain available until expended. ♦