State Sen. John Sabatina has joined Pennsylvania’s Department of Military and Veterans Affairs in calling for the state Senate to reconvene to preserve a bonus program for veterans that will expire before the next scheduled session day.
“It is unthinkable that the door could close for thousands of veterans before they’ve applied for this benefit,” Sabatina said in a printed statement issued July 30.
The state House of Representatives voted to extend the Persian Gulf Veterans Bonus Program for three years before recessing in June, but the Senate failed to vote on the bill and is not scheduled to be in session until Sept. 21. Under current legislation, the program is scheduled to sunset on Aug. 31.
The bonus provides a one-time cash payment to eligible Pennsylvania veterans of the Persian Gulf War. Eligible Pennsylvania veterans include current and former members of the United States armed forces, reserves or Pennsylvania National Guard who served during the period from Aug. 2, 1990, to Aug. 31, 1991, with the program-designated Persian Gulf Conflict Theater of Operations.
Since April 4, 2008, 8,863 applicants have been awarded bonuses totaling $3,652,513. Visit www.persiangulfbonus.state.pa.us to apply. ••
