Politics & Government
House Approves $700k Increase in Welcome Home Bonus for Returning Servicemen
On the heels of President Obama's announcement of the return of combat troops from Iraq, this proposed increased in funding will help to ensure benefits for the 28,000 Massachusetts service-members currently deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Led by House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones Jr., R- North Reading, the Massachusetts House of Representatives Republican Leadership team was successful in offering, and having adopted, an amendment calling for a $700,000 increase to the Welcome Home Bonus account to provide up to $1,000 bonus payments for residents returning from active deployment. Offered on the heels of President Barack Obama’s announcement of the return of combat troops from Iraq, the proposed increased in funding will help to ensure benefits for the 28,000 Massachusetts service-members currently deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“I think it is incredibly important that we have the resources in place for our Veteran Agents when our brave men and women come back from war,” said Representative Vinny deMacedo. “This is a very small gesture to say thank you for your sacrifice and service to our country.”
The amendment, filed by the House Republican Leadership team during debate on the Supplemental Budget, will redirect $700,000 from the $395 million increase in anticipated revenue to the Welcome Home Bonus account within the Office of the Treasurer and Receiver-General.
The Republican Leadership team, including Assistant Minority Leader George N. Peterson Jr., R-Grafton, Brad Hill, R-Ipswich, Elizabeth Poirier, R-North Attleboro, and Vinny deMacedo, R-Plymouth, were joined in offering the amendment by Representatives George T. Ross, R-Attleboro, and Richard Bastien, R-Gardner, Republican members on the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs.
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