WASHINGTON DC – Representative Kevin Mullin (D-CA-15), joined by Representatives Ed Case (D-HI-01) and James Moylan (Del.-R-Guam), led 39 lawmakers to introduce the bipartisan Filipino Veterans Fairness Act to ensure Filipino World War II veterans and their families receive the benefits they deserve.
“During World War II, over 250,000 Filipino troops bravely fought under US command, saving countless lives during their service. It’s unacceptable that these veterans were stripped of the benefits they were entitled to,” Mullin said. “I cannot imagine the pain Filipino veterans and their families felt and the irreparable harm caused by this unjustified disparate treatment. As we celebrate the close of Filipino American History Month, I’m proud to introduce bipartisan legislation that would fix this longstanding injustice and demonstrate that we value the service and sacrifices Filipino veterans made for our country.”
“The Philippines is a close friend and ally to the United States, providing us with invaluable support to US troops in conflicts, especially during World War II. As co-chair of the US-Philippine Friendship Caucus, I am committed to protecting Filipino veterans’ rights and ensuring they receive their full benefits and quality healthcare. I thank my colleagues, Representative Mullin, and Representative Case, for joining me in co-leading this effort and all our cosponsors for their support of this important bill” said Representative Moylan.
“Honoring the legacy of our Filipino World War II veterans cannot be just a promise, but must be action, especially as the few who are left are well into their golden years,” said Representative Case. “Just as they fought bravely alongside our American forces in World War II, it is our duty to stand by their side today. The Filipino Veterans Fairness Act honors our commitment and fulfills the promises we made to the Filipino veterans who served with unwavering courage.”
Representative Mullin’s introduction of the Filipino Veterans Fairness Act continues the work of his predecessor, former Representative Jackie Speier, who first introduced a similar bill in 2011 and in every subsequent Congress in which she served. When World War II broke out, Filipinos volunteered to join the war effort and were promised the benefits entitled to U.S. troops. However, in 1946, Congress partially rescinded benefits from certain Filipino veterans.
The Filipino Veterans Fairness Act would fulfill our nation’s commitment to those who served and offer a need-based death pension to survivors of these veterans. The bill also directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to consider alternative military documentation when determining eligibility, which would remove a significant hurdle that has kept many deserving dependents from receiving their rightful benefits, since many official service records for Filipino veterans were destroyed in a 1973 fire at the National Personnel Records Center.
The Filipino Veterans Fairness Act has been endorsed by Veterans of Foreign Wars.
The legislation is cosponsored by Reps. Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Ami Bera (CA-06), Andre Carson (IN-07), Troy Carter (LA-02), Judy Chu (CA-28), Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05), Steve Cohen (TN-09), Gerry Connolly (VA-11), Jim Costa (CA-21), Danny Davis (IL-07), Don Davis (NC-01), Anna Eshoo (CA-16), John Garamendi (CA-08), Jesús “Chuy” Garcia (IL-04), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Raúl Grijalva (AZ-07), Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Hank Johnson (GA-04), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Barbara Lee (CA-12), Ted Lieu (CA-36), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Doris Matsui (CA-7), Grace Meng (NY-06), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-At Large), Bill Pascrell (NJ-09), Dutch Ruppersberger (MD-02), Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan (MP-At Large), Linda Sánchez (CA-38), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Adam Schiff (CA-30), Brad Sherman (CA-32), Eric Swalwell (CA-14), Dina Titus (NV-01), Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Juan Vargas (CA-52), Maxine Waters (CA-43).
