Congressman
Cook Issues
Secretary Carter's Response
Washington D.C. ____ Representative
Paul Cook (R- Apple Valley) issued the following statement Wednesday October
26, 2016, in response to Secretary of
Defense Ashton Carter’s announcement that the Pentagon would suspend
collections from California National
Guard Members who received improper reenlistment bonuses:
“As I stated from the beginning of this controversy,
Secretary Carter has long had the authority to suspend collection of these
reenlistment bonuses, so I’m pleased he’s heeded my call to use that authority
and stop taking money from our Veterans. But there’s more work to be done, as
this is only a suspension of collection, not a permanent solution. I agree with
Secretary Carter that we must resolve this in a way that puts as little burden
as possible on service members.
These men and women answered our country’s
call and defended the nation in a time of war. They should be praised, not
punished.”