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H.R. 2495, The Disabled Veterans Commissary and Exchange Store Benefits Act (76 comments ↓)
- This item is from the 110th Congress (2007-2008) and is no longer current. Comments, voting, and wiki editing have been disabled, and the cost/savings estimate has been frozen.
- This bill, or a similar bill, was reintroduced in the current Congress as H.R. 108, The Disabled Veterans Commissary and Exchange Store Benefits Act.
H.R. 2495 would amend title 10, United States Code, to extend military commissary and exchange store privileges to veterans with a compensable service-connected disability and to their dependents.
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Visitor Comments
Jerry M.
June 18, 2007, 4:35pm (report abuse)I think this is another major milestone which should pass easily and not be exploited. It's for the benifit of our disabled Vets & dependants. If only the USFSPA could be fixed!
Fawaz
July 26, 2007, 3:41pm (report abuse)Awesome. Disabled Veterans deserve this. Military doesn't have anything to loose. BX/PX and Commissaries will get more revenues out of all this.
Lewis B
July 30, 2007, 1:12pm (report abuse)Everyone wins! This is great for those disabled Veterans who did not spend 20 years on
active duty and are
dagmar grambs
September 6, 2007, 2:18pm (report abuse)THEY DESERVE THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Joe Peace
September 14, 2007, 9:45am (report abuse)Yes I belive it would help all disabled veterans .
Why would anyone stand in the bill way?
Michael
September 23, 2007, 7:04pm (report abuse)I am so happy to hear this. I live by a post. It's not even that I would use the PX and comisary alot it just makes me feel good being recognized for my service.
Koaheart
September 30, 2007, 4:39pm (report abuse)I think this is the 3rd time this has been introduced. H.R. 2495
H.R. 1477
H.R. 4121
Why does congress dead-head items for the military benifits? I think the Military should be able to go on strike like union workers. Maybe they would finally get noticed!
David
October 5, 2007, 4:56pm (report abuse)Yes. This would be a great morale booster for disabled vetes. Many disabled vets were forced out of the service due to their disabilities, and they should at least be able to enjoy those base privileges they had before as active duty members. And lets not forget that the MWR would have a great increase in revenue which would turn around and help the war fighter and their families.
DALE
October 12, 2007, 9:55am (report abuse)I THINK THIS IS ONE PIECE OF FINE LEGISLATION. I WILL REMEMBER AT ELECTION TIME THOSE WHO VOTE AGAINST IT.
Archie
October 15, 2007, 2:06pm (report abuse)I think all PX stores should be open to all Americans. Mostly to those who suffered by not going into the military. They have been suffering ignorance all their lives.
Bill
October 25, 2007, 9:31am (report abuse)As a disabled veteran, I think that this is a good step for congress to undertank. Most of us who have a service-connected disability would have enjoyed putting in our 20+ because we enjoyed our service career. Bottom line it isn't our fault that our military careers were cut short. This is awesome and it is about time someone picked up the guideon on this one.
Lee
November 8, 2007, 12:07pm (report abuse)Archie, PX means Post Exchange, they are not offered to "ALL AMERICANS", simply due to the fact you have to be Military or connected via family member or employee (with restrictions) to gain access. What would be the point offering this "PRIVILEGE" to the entire public?
Frydrk
November 23, 2007, 8:00pm (report abuse)I think all disabled Veterans should have commissary and PX privileges, having given what they have for this country I fell it is the least the government could do to show it's appreciation.
Sean
December 6, 2007, 10:59pm (report abuse)I think that disabled veterans should be able to shop on base( commissary and PX)for the sacrifices that we endured on active duty. I served 18 years on active duty and was rated 80% for service-connected disability.
Norm
December 17, 2007, 9:53pm (report abuse)You legislators that voted against this in the past, present, and future, enjoy your same high salaries and benefits at retirement knowing you did not answer this small request from veterans who are not as fortunate as you not to need a commissary.
H Robles
January 2, 2008, 7:59am (report abuse)I believe that disabled veterans should be included in these privileges, as we consider ourselves part of the military family. I believe further that disabled veterans should be allowed to use a courtesy military rank.
geo Robertson, Jr;
January 2, 2008, 1:04pm (report abuse)This is not about getting somthing new at all, But getting somthing BACK The Bastard's in congress has been chopping VETERNS Right's For years; STAND UP VET'S
Dan
January 7, 2008, 1:16pm (report abuse)Archie,
If you didn't serve, you don't deserve to step foot on a military base! Your opinion is way out in left field, and it offends me.
UPSET VET
January 8, 2008, 9:02pm (report abuse)6/28/2007: Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel Where it will rot before it ever goes anywhere! Why does anyone even bother, only to dead end the bill. It's been introduced 3 times. How many times has a Vet stuck his/her neck out for these people? Get it off the bottom of the pile and push it where it needs to go!
Linwood
January 29, 2008, 9:57pm (report abuse)I think (like several others have posted) that disabled vets should be entitled to these services as we did not choose to get hurt and put out. I was in for a little over 6 myself before being MEB'd out...my plan was 25 min. When I became injured I was ostracized buy my peers....craped on by the MEB (TDRL then pushed out with 20%) and it continues with the government treating use as second class....I agree STAND UP VETS fight for the rights we deserve...the rights that where yanked from under out feet...make the goverment stand accountable for the promises we where handed when we raised our hands. This is a great idea and should have been accomplished ages ago! WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT THIS HAS THE POTENTIAL TO ACT AS A GATEWAY TO OTHER RIGHTS WE HAVE BEEN DENIED.
Rico
February 4, 2008, 9:56am (report abuse)I think it is time that Congress really took a hard look at taking care of our veterans especially those with service-connected disabilities; whether it is a rating of 10% or 100%.
Right now in order to take advantage of the Exchange or the Commissary as a veteran, you have to be retired or 100% disabled. I think any body that served our country and were hurt, no matter what percentage of the service connected disability, should be eligible to use it.
My service connected disability forced me to leave a career I intended to stick with to retirement. I can't even qualify for reserve duty.
In the very least I think we should support some legislation to allow veterans with any degree of service-connected disability to be allowed to use the facilities allowed to them before their disability forced them to leave.
Susan
February 6, 2008, 9:10pm (report abuse)I support this bill to help out our well-deserving vets. Shame our government can find ways to provide for illegal immigrants and foreign countries, but can't manage to slice a piece of the pie to our own vets who have fought for this government and the Americans who voted for them.
Bob
February 11, 2008, 1:53pm (report abuse)Semper Fi!! This would be a huge boost for service members with disabilities. I believe disabled vets should be treated as retired vets when it comes to base activities. Seems like a non-issue and they should just pass the bill and move on.
Javance
February 22, 2008, 3:49pm (report abuse)It is a good idea. We need the help and they need the money. It's time the congress did something for the people instead of just themselves.
Jerry
February 24, 2008, 11:55am (report abuse)http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h110-2495 Still sitting in someone in-box and will be forgotten as usual. Isn't Senator Clinton a part of the subcommittee for Military Personnel?
david
February 25, 2008, 7:17am (report abuse)we fought for our country now we are disabled and we cant even use the commissary privelages think about IT
DAVID
February 25, 2008, 7:20am (report abuse)WE CAN BECOME DISABLED FIGHTING FOR OUR COUNTRY BUT WE CANT USE COMMISSARY PRIVELAGES BECAUSE WE ARE HAS BEENS
ALLEN
February 25, 2008, 7:28am (report abuse)WE DISABLED VETS 100%UNEMPLOYABLE SHOULD RECEIVE THE SAME PRIVELAGES AS ANY ACTIVE DUTY SOLDIER AND IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ARRANGED 10 YEARS AGO INSTEAD OF WAITING FOR A BUNCH OF PEOPLE VOTING ON IT THAT HAVE EITHER NEVER BEEN IN THE MILITARY OR HAVE NEVER SEEN COMBAT WE DESERVE AND DEMAND WHAT SHOULD NOT EVEN HAVE TO BE ASKED FOR.
DAL
February 25, 2008, 7:42am (report abuse)I AM ASKING ALL DISABLED VETS TO WRITE TO YOUR GOVERNORS AND CONGRESSMEN AND EVEN THE PRESIDENT LETS TAKE A STAND THIS IS SOMETHING WORTH FIGHTING FOR JUST OUR BASIC RIGHTS TO PRIVELEGES WE DESERVE LETS QUIT JUST STANDING BY AND HOPING FOR A CHANGE LETS ALL BAND TOGETHER AND LET OUR VOICES BE HEARD THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF US LETS KEEP ASKING UNTIL WE GET WHAT WE DESERVE.
DAV
February 25, 2008, 7:47am (report abuse)PASS THIS BILL NOW PLEASE NOT 2YEARS FROM NOW
338.6 BILLION A YR FOR ILLEGALS
February 25, 2008, 9:26am (report abuse)WHATS A FEW MILLION FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE FOUGHT IN WAR AND WORE THE UNIFORM. THIS ILLEGAL ALIEN MESS IS ASS BACKWARDS!!! WHAT IS AN ILLEGAL ALIEN? A MOVING TARGET!
8 Years in a Row
March 13, 2008, 3:39pm (report abuse)Congress has no problem voting itself a pay raise for eight years in a row. Perhaps they should consider this.
VETSETTER
March 17, 2008, 12:40pm (report abuse)WRITE YOUR REPRESENTATIVE AND CONGRESSPERSONS!
This bill shows merit and appears to have wide bipartisan support. Unfortunately, DOD and some Veteran's organizations are lobbying against this bill's passage. It has come up for the past 10 years and continues to languish in subcommittee. Until we can get this passed through, it will not become a law.
Joan
March 27, 2008, 10:24am (report abuse)I will be praying for this to pass. Anyone who has served in the military with any percentage of disability SHOULD be allowed to use the commissary/px. We would be putting money into their pockets.
Joseph F. Kelly
March 31, 2008, 10:14am (report abuse)Anyone with a service rated disability should have PX, Commissary privileges .With the cost of everything today and the price of fuel it would greatly help.Many Veterans would have to drive a considerable distance anyway .
everything today
SFC Pugh
April 6, 2008, 12:30pm (report abuse)Disabled military should be given this service for their sacrifice to this great country. The volunteer spirit, they answered the call in their hearts to serve a higher need of this nation.
Fred
April 21, 2008, 9:33am (report abuse)Not to much to ask for from my perspective. We would still be giving back to MWR by shopping on base. May I say thank you to those in congress who have supported this bill.
Jerry
April 24, 2008, 3:18am (report abuse)This would provide even more ammunition to use against Congress when they propose cutting commissary benefits. The extra money coming into MWR would also be most welcome.
All this for a group that earned the right through personal sacrifice to this great country. What's wrong with Congress. This is a no-brainer.
VETSETTER
April 28, 2008, 9:10am (report abuse)I find it hard to see why the voting graphic at the top of this page has so many votes against it. Every comment on this board is in support of the resolution. Can someone please provide a good reason why NOT to pass this?! The weak arguments:
It’d erode the benefit from retirees. Nonsense! They would have the same benefit. Those who gave their health should be given the same.
It’d negatively impact security on base. These veterans have already undergone screening & served their country honorably. They weren't a security risk while on active duty.
It’d overload the infrastructure of the commissary and PX. Again; invalid! If you look at the number of retirees & those who use this benefit, it is a small percentage. The price advantage is too small over stores such as Wal-Mart to benefit anyone but those who TRULY need it.
Call the House Armed Services Committee, Subcommittee on Military Personnel Staff line at (202) 225-7560 to let them know you'd like this to move forward!
JoeCpl
April 28, 2008, 9:45pm (report abuse)I am a 70% disabled Vet from the
Vietnam War. I fought and bled for
my country; and I am refused
Military Base priviledges....I find
this hard to comprehend.
silver Star/purple heart Hue City
Mark
June 4, 2008, 3:49pm (report abuse)Maybe now we'll see what Mr. Obama really wants to get accomplished. Obviously, he has more on his plate, but this would go a long way to getting all vets behind him. This is SO OVERDUE and DESERVED
VETSETTER
June 5, 2008, 9:26am (report abuse)FY09 Natoinal Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 5658) report states that the SecDef must supply a report of consideration for Disabled Veterans Access to Commissaries and Exchanges by the end of March, 2009. Looks like this won't even be considered until next congress.
Robert
June 12, 2008, 7:11pm (report abuse)I can't believe this was the least
congress and the DOD could do,yet
they would bicker over it.
I'm surprised they even had to give it thought.
It sure seems logical to me.
Give the Vets something back for
their sacrifices.It doesn't really
even incur a cost.
Wow! the polititians could do something nice,that doesn't cost anything.
A real no-brainer!!!
Theda
July 5, 2008, 2:10pm (report abuse)I can't understand why it should take so long, if was not for the miltary we would not have so many disabled veteran. I feel that disabled veterans rated a certain percentage should have access to the PX and Commissary. (Whats to think about)
Archie
July 21, 2008, 10:36am (report abuse)Dan ---- Honestly!!!! I am 100% Permanant and Total all combat wounds since wounded on Vietnams DMZ. PX and commissary should be only for those wounded in combat and not for questionable disbilities. What has this country became a nation of wannabes? I think so!
JRH
August 12, 2008, 1:45am (report abuse)Honorably "Discharged" Veterans Rated 100-percent Disabled by the Department of Veteran's Affair (VA).
Honorably discharged veterans (not entitled to retired pay), who are rated 100-per-cent disabled from a Uniformed Service-connected injury or disease, are entitled to a DD Form 1173 reflecting eligibility to commissary, exchange and MWR privileges only. They receive their medical benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). In order to receive an ID card, a letter from the VA must certify that the veteran is entitled to commissary and exchange privileges and indicate whether a medical reevaluation is necessary. A copy of the DD Form 214 reflecting an honorable discharge is also required. Letters from the VA that indicate the veteran has been awarded 100-percent disability compensation based upon unemployability are NOT acceptable. The member will be enrolled in DEERS as a DATUM or DAVPRM based on the letter from
Connie DeFehr
August 13, 2008, 1:54am (report abuse)This is a no-brainer. This is the least we can do.
caiez
August 21, 2008, 1:00pm (report abuse)"Deserve" is a much overused word. You did not earn it. Seems like another one of those "gimme gimme" kinds of appeals.
V-Vet 68-69
August 21, 2008, 7:04pm (report abuse)Can anyone help me so what rating does a veteran need to have now to us the commissary and what rating will this bill introduce?
I am presently rated at 100% what does this bill to do for with lower service connected injury.
Marc
August 22, 2008, 1:22am (report abuse)I am service connected, never served in combat, injured when my parachute malfunctioned and I think the imprint of my body is still on Fort Bragg 20 years later.
Personally I agree with Archie. I could care less about px priveleges. I am more concerned with having to drive 2 hours each way to get treated for my medical problems, and I really can not tolerate long car trips.
KD
September 23, 2008, 4:38am (report abuse)i am 100% disabled. all disabled vets should be allowed to use the fascilities. besides their revenues would go up.
Archie
October 4, 2008, 1:41pm (report abuse)I am 100% combat Disabled. The VA is not Departmentof sugar.
Lewis S.
October 14, 2008, 2:28am (report abuse)I feel that all Disable Combat Vets should be entitled to base privileges. I was injured while serving in Iraq and recieve a 10% disabilty for a fractured vertebrea in my back. Due to this I was not able to finish my military career. This is after serving 11 years. I was told I could not recieve a retirement because I had to put in 15 years before I would be elible for a medical discharge, with me being in the National Guard in the great state of Illinois.
dman304_2008
October 14, 2008, 10:06pm (report abuse)I am only 40% disabled on my back,10% on hearing. My back injury cut my career to 10 yrs. Being a disabled veteran I have found that many orginazations such as the VFW Americam Legion and others do not want us younger veterans to have such benefits because they think it will take away from their status of retirees and they claim they want to help the young vets from the Gulf War and beyond, but they want public status to make them selves look good.There are many time I have to let my meds go so I can feed my family or pay a utility bill. I say this with all due respect to combat veterans and retirees.This act would help me streatch my food dollar a lot. it is a very good idea that should have been in place when washington was general of the Army!
David
October 17, 2008, 10:05pm (report abuse)I have written my (representative???)so many times about this I have lost count. I will address him one last time at the ballot box, for his callous attitude. Irving, Texas!!!
Mason
October 20, 2008, 2:49pm (report abuse)I recently did a television program with Congressman Filner. He is chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs. He did not know about this bill and thought it was a good idea. I suggest we all write and call is office in support and we may get traction on it. This is the time to do it. Call Bob Filner
Community Offices:
333 F Street, Suite A 1101 Airport Road, Suite D
Chula Vista, CA 91910
Imperial, CA 92251
Phone: (619) 422-5963 Phone: (760) 355-8800
Fax: (619) 422-7290
Fax: (760) 355-8802
Washington, DC Office:
2428 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-8045
Fax: (202) 225-9073
jacqueline
October 26, 2008, 10:01pm (report abuse)What is the matter with disabled veterans receiving military related benefits? I'm a service connected veteran and am very upset because I went to get gas at the Navy Exchange and was rudely escorted out of the facilities because I wasn't allowed to use facilities that I have given my life for. I can't understand why retired military is able to use the facilities and not disabled veterans. Just think, there are lots of soldiers coming back from Iraq missing limbs and they get discahrged, not by choice; and can't ultilize the facilities that they damn near gave their lives for. That is sad!!! We need to wake up and be considerate of our service connected veterans because without them, there would be no AMERICA!!!
.
October 27, 2008, 2:27pm (report abuse)jacqueline,
Would you line some cheese with your whine?
no_lion
November 6, 2008, 1:37pm (report abuse)According to the polls, 54% are against this legislation, yet over 90% of the responses favor the bill's passage. This tells me that either the opponents are cowards, or the voting is seriously flawed. I suspect that the one or two bitter people who have been vocal on this board are voting multiple times to throw off the poll.
Vets wife
November 9, 2008, 2:29pm (report abuse)Maybe we're going about this all wrong....lets see if we can get this tied to Congress's nextx pay raise and I guarantee it'll get voted on an passed in a timely manner.
Sol
November 11, 2008, 12:48pm (report abuse)Historically, disabled veterans were discarded immediately after use; this was how it was done until very recently. The VA as we know it was largely a product of WWII; such an overwhelming majority of the population was involved with The War Effort that Congress could not ignore their disabilities and had to create something to support the broken ones.
War also does a lot of psychological damage that's bewildering to the civilians around us; they don't understand why we jump at loud noises, wake up in terror at night, or see the faces of people we have killed when we go out. For some, there *is* no way to ever really come home again.
For this we're paid just $300/year over the Federal Poverty Standards; just enough to *not* qualify for fedral housing, college grants, or assistance programs.
Many disabled Vets still find their identity in having been a warrior. PX privileges reinforce that identity: pride, dignity, honor, belonging.
How is that wrong?
Charlie
November 11, 2008, 12:53pm (report abuse)no_lion,
Voting repeatedly from the same computer does not work, according to the site admin. Perhaps those who are voting no simply don't want to be attacked by the more rabid supporters here.
AT3
November 14, 2008, 10:30am (report abuse)Voting multiple times from the same computer is possible, but against the point of this poll. Someone with a lot of time on their hands could skewe the numbers but that defeats the purpose of the pole. Most of us have better things to do, like try to hold down a job with a major disability.
For AT3
November 14, 2008, 10:32am (report abuse)And since you are so sure that must mean that you have voted multiple times? Certainly not in the spirit of the poll, as you say.
AT3
November 20, 2008, 3:46pm (report abuse)Actually, I found out directly from the webmasater...
E Thompson
November 21, 2008, 2:17pm (report abuse)I am a veteran of OIF 2 and was medically discharged for having open heart surgery. I am currently a DOD employee and was also curious as to why as a veteran I cant use the px or commissary. Even though I was rated 10% service connected disability I have a right to use those facilities as much as someone with 30% or more. I am sure most of us on this page feel the same way we fought and bled for this country so at least we should be able to get our groceries on post get gas on post and recieve other amenities thats due for our services. Even the veterans that recieved at least 10% should be able to recieve tricare also because it was the military that told us we were medically unfit to still serve as soldiers so they should still offer us medical care and also to our spouses who were there with us through the thick and thin of our deployments, injuries and sickness.SO CONGRESS OR WHOEVER PASS THIS AMENDMENT FOR ALL DISABLED VETS 10% TO 95% DISABLED VETERANS
Terry
November 24, 2008, 2:36am (report abuse)This is absolutely a must!.. It sickens me to work for a VA hospital and know all that has been robbed from our vets as well as all the broken promises... PASS THIS !5V2RG
B
November 26, 2008, 3:11am (report abuse)Archie, you say that the PX and commissary should be only for those wounded in combat and not for questionable disbilities. Then explain why an employee of the VA, who is not a veteran, is able to shop at the exchange and a disabled veteran, combat or other, is not?
For B
November 26, 2008, 3:44pm (report abuse)Would you care to share more particulars about the situation? Does not sound like any situation I have run into.
George
December 8, 2008, 9:37am (report abuse)Not only did it take me an hour on-line to find this subject, but I'm in serious hope that this get passed with the help of the new Secretary of veterans Affairs recently appointed. Let's see if Pres. Elect Obama can make good on this one! With the economy making things harder we need this !
For George
December 8, 2008, 9:45pm (report abuse)Man, have you been paying attention? If all you are looking for is lower priced goods you shouldn't be looking at the excahnges and commissaries? On any day you can do better at Wal-Mart and if you have to drive very far to a base you will come out on the losing end.
For: For...
December 10, 2008, 12:12pm (report abuse)Why are you so bitter?!
For: For
December 10, 2008, 2:07pm (report abuse)I'm not bitter - I'm telling it like it is. There are few, if any, bargains to be had on base any more. It's better to shop at home than to drive 150 miles roundtrip and then not save anything.
Alaska Vet
December 17, 2008, 1:48pm (report abuse)I can't find a single logical reason that PX and commissary privileges are denied to SC vets less than 100%, I do understand Space A, because there is a cost associated with that one, but I still think the cost does not warrant denying the privilege. How can someone come on here and intentionally bad mouth a SC vet? Makes no sense to me. Whatever happened to respect for the brotherhood? A SC vet is a SC vet; nothing more, nothing less. Can someone please explain to me why a SC shouldn't be allowed to shop on post? Thanks!
For Alaska Vet
December 19, 2008, 3:45pm (report abuse)How about "you didn't earn them" as a reason? If you are diasbled you should be in the VA system. The whole purpose of that system is to take care of you after the military. Just because you were in some way injured during service does not mean the military is forever your keeper.
Alaska Vet
December 24, 2008, 1:08pm (report abuse)So, using your logic, I could serve 19 years, 11 months and 29 days, have numerous combat citations, be retired with 100% disability, but since I didn't serve that one last day, I am denied the same benefits that someone has based on one more days service, regardless of their combat, or non-combat service record, or their disability status that precluded them from the ability to finish a 20 year service term? See how that doesn't make sense?