Skip to main content

Representatives Panetta, Sherrill, King Introduce Bill to Ensure Benefits for National Guard Members Deployed During COVID-19



SALINAS, CA – On Friday, May 22 Congressman Jimmy Panetta (CA-20), Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11), Congressman Peter King (NY-02), and 36 of their colleagues introduced the bipartisan National Guard COVID-19 Earned Benefits Guarantee Act.



According to recent reporting, the Administration is considering cutting off most National Guard COVID-19 activations one day short of the threshold required for certain retirement and educational benefits.  Congressman Panetta’s legislation will direct the Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs to treat a full-time National Guard COVID-19 activation as not shorter than 90 days, thus qualifying these servicemembers for benefits.



"Since the early days of this pandemic, National Guard members have stepped up, stepped forward, and stepped into our communities to help serve us and fight this disease.  Any purposeful plan to end their orders a day short so that they don’t receive their proper benefits undermines their service and our security," said Congressman Panetta. "My legislation will ensure that the men and women of the National Guard serving on the frontlines of the COVID-19 response are allowed to earn all of their deserved benefits as they continue to defend our communities."



"The National Guardsmen and women in New Jersey have been on the front lines of our fight against COVID-19," said Congresswoman Sherrill. "To consider ending their deployments a day early to deny them benefits is not only a disservice to the brave men and women serving during this crisis, it harms our ability to keep people in our community safe. Congressman Panetta and I want to ensure that these heroes have access to the benefits they’ve earned."



"The National Guard’s mission to combat COVID-19 is far from over. These citizen soldiers are taking time away from their families and primary jobs to be at the forefront of this fight. We need to ensure that we protect their benefits while they are protecting us," said Congressman King.



Additional original cosponsors of the legislation include Representatives Gerald E. Connolly (VA-11), Barbara Lee (CA-13), Conor Lamb (PA-17), Thomas Suozzi (NY-03), Dina Titus (NV-01), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Stephen F. Lynch (MA-08), TJ Cox (CA-21), Bill Foster (IL-11), James P. McGovern (MA-02), Jerrold Nadler (NY-10), Dan Kildee (MI-05), Jim Costa (CA-16), Chris Pappas (NH-01), Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), J. Luis Correa (CA-46), Terri A. Sewell (AL-07), Mike Thompson (CA-05), Sylvia R. Garcia (TX-29), Anthony Brown (MD-04), Josh Gottheimer (NY-05), Scott Peters (CA-52), Carolyn B. Maloney (NY-12), Jason Crow (CO-06), Anna G. Eshoo (CA-18), Derek Kilmer (WA-06), Peter DeFazio (OR-04), Brad Schneider (IL-10), Steve Cohen (TN-09), Jose E. Serrano (NY-15), Gilbert R. Cisneros, Jr. (CA-39), Nydia M. Velazquez (NY-07), Angie Craig (MN-02), Gregory W. Meeks (NY-05), and Filemon Vela (TX-34).

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

King City Man Arrested on January 6 for Rape, Unlawful Sexual Intercourse with a Minor and Kidnapping

  According to King City Police Department, on December 30, 2024 a 17-year-old minor female victim reported that she had attended a party on the 100 Block of Bedford Circle on December 24, 2024. During the party, the suspect provided her with alcohol. He then pulled the victim into a bedroom, forcibly removed her clothing and had sexual intercourse with her against her will. This case was investigated by the King City Police Department Investigations Unit which resulted in the apprehension and arrest on January 6, 2025 of the suspect identified as 21-year-old Jesus Oseguera Briseno of King City. Briseno was also booked into the Monterey County Jail charged with Rape, Unlawful Sexual Intercourse with a Minor and Kidnapping. Anyone with further information regarding this case is encouraged to contact the King City Police Department at (844) 844-3382; Sergeant Josh Partida (831) 385-4848 or jpartida@kingcity.com; or the WeTip line at 1-800-78-CRIME. Your call may remain completely ano...
Post a Comment
Read more

Attempted Homicide Shooting Incident in King City on September 29

  The King City Police Department received a report of gunshots heard in the area of the 600 block of Sycamore Street at around 1 am on Sunday, September 29. While enroute, the King City PD was advised that 2 victims were transported to Mee Memorial Hospital by private vehicle to be treated for gunshot wounds.   Upon arrival, officers were told that a single unknown suspect opened the gate to a fenced yard and fired 10 rounds into a crowd attending a party. 2 individuals were struck by the gunfire, after-which the suspect fled on foot.  The suspect was described as wearing a dark colored hoodie and pants. The 2 victims are a 16-year-old juvenile male who was shot 3 times and an 18-year-old male who was shot 1 time.  Both victims were transported to Natividad Hospital from Mee Memorial and are currently listed in stable condition. Detectives from the King City Police Department are currently working the investigation with assistance from the Greenfield Police Dep...
Post a Comment
Read more

3 Vehicle Wreck on Highway 101 Outside of King City on December 26

  A 3 vehicle accident happened on Highway 101 Northbound near the Central Avenue exit outside of King City at 12:07 pm on Thursday afternoon, December 26. One of the vehicles overturned as a result of the crash. Minor injuries were reported from the collision. 
Post a Comment
Read more