Hillary Clinton said Monday she is shocked that Pentagon officials are trying to force thousands of California National Guard soldiers to repay their reenlistment bonuses, and she called on Congress to take a closer look at the matter.
“I am appalled that National Guard officials are attempting to recoup money from soldiers who accepted bonuses a decade ago – with the active encouragement of government officials and through no fault of their own — for bravely enlisting to serve our country during a time of war,” the Democratic nominee said in a statement made available to the Washington Examiner.
The Los Angeles Times was the first to report that federal officials are trying to make California soldiers repay the bonuses offered to them nearly a decade ago by the Golden State’s National Guard to reenlist in the war on terror.
“Nearly 10,000 soldiers, many of whom served multiple combat tours, have been ordered to repay large enlistment bonuses — and slapped with interest charges, wage garnishments and tax liens if they refuse — after audits revealed widespread overpayments by the California Guard at the height of the wars last decade,” the Times reported.
“Investigations have determined that lack of oversight allowed for widespread fraud and mismanagement by California Guard officials under pressure to meet enlistment targets,” the report added. “But soldiers say the military is reneging on 10-year-old agreements and imposing severe financial hardship on veterans whose only mistake was to accept bonuses offered when the Pentagon needed to fill the ranks.”
On Monday, Hillary Clinton suggested Congress intervene to protect U.S. servicemen from the injustices reported by the Times.
“These troops deserve our support and our deepest gratitude; they served admirably and upheld their part of the bargain. It is unacceptable to now subject them and their families to undue financial burdens thanks to to mismanagement from the California National Guard and rigid bureaucracy on the part of the Pentagon,” Clinton said.
“I am calling on Congress to swiftly pass legislation to right this wrong. In the meantime, we should assist these families in identifying and applying for relief as well establishing an expedited review process. We simply cannot allow this type of mistreatment of veterans, for any reason,” she added.
Clinton is not alone in slamming the Pentagon for its decision to make California National Guard soldiers pay the price for the many failings of federal bureaucrats.
Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., said the Pentagon’s chosen method for recouping the bonuses was a “boneheaded decision,” adding that it’s “disgraceful and insulting” to put soldiers on the hook for other’s actions.
“I find it difficult to believe that either you or your leadership team was aware that such a boneheaded decision was made to demand repayment,” the California congressman said in a letter to Defense Secretary Ash Carter. “I ask that you utilize your authority to influence a solution, including a possible legislative fix if determined necessary, that’s in the best interest of the individuals and families impacted.”
