Compensation should not be offset against military longevity retired pay. H.R. 303 and S. 170 would authorize full concurrent receipt of longevity military retired pay and VA disability compensation. Congress should enact legislation to repeal the inequitable requirement that veterans' military retired pay based on longevity be offset by an amount equal to their VA disability compensation. Our Government must devote more resources to programs for homeless veterans. Homelessness among approximately a quarter million of our veterans in such times of national prosperity is a needless tragedy more because we allow it to continue than because we allowed it to occur.
Veterans can escape the despair of homelessness with the right kinds of help.
Homelessness is a condition we can help veterans overcome. To overcome the causes and break the cycle of homelessness, veterans need such basic services as medical care, financial counseling, vocational training and rehabilitation, employment assistance, and family counseling. The DAV and community groups operate various homeless programs. However, the need for services is far beyond our capacity to assist and our resources. Unfortunately, ending homelessness among veterans has not been a Government priority.