Rep. Calvert Applauds Suspension of National Guard Bonus Collection

Today, Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42) applauded the decision by Secretary of Defense Ash Carter to suspend efforts to collect reimbursement from affected California National Guard members.

"I'm pleased to hear the Department of Defense has heeded the call from so many Americans to halt the unfair collection of bonuses paid to our soldiers many years ago," said Rep. Calvert. "Now, it's important that Congress fully investigate how this happened and what steps we must take to protect our soldiers – including reimbursing those who have inappropriately been forced to repay money. I am still deeply troubled that so many of our brave men and women in uniform have been put through a tremendous hardship due to no fault of their own. We must all work to prevent that from happening again in the future."

"While I appreciate the Secretary's concern for the taxpayer, I believe the majority of American taxpayers do not want the Department going after our U.S. service members for repayment of bonuses. Halting the collection of bonuses just to begin it again in earnest January 1, 2017 is not the relief that is necessary and Congress stands ready to provide a legislative fix."

Earlier this week, Rep. Calvert joined a number of his House colleagues in sending a letter to the Secretary of Defense requesting that the Department of Defense stop all collection efforts on the bonuses in question.

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