Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez, Representing California’s 46th Congressional District
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 23, 2016
MEDIA CONTACT: Kelsey Cork, Kelsey.Cork@mail.house.gov
REP. LORETTA SANCHEZ RELEASES STATEMENT ON CALIFORNIA SOLDIERS FORCED TO REPAY ENLISTMENT BONUSES
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (CA-46), senior member of the House Armed Services and Homeland Security Committees, released the following statement following the news that California soldiers and veterans are being forced to repay their enlistment bonus to the federal government.
Nearly a decade ago, the California National Guard used enlistment bonuses as a tool for recruitment. Today, over 10,000 veterans are being forced to pay back these bonuses and students loans because, according to the Pentagon, they were not authorized to receive them. The California National Guard, as well as National Guard recruitment centers in other states, misappropriated funds in order to enlist badly needed soldiers that would go on to deploy to Iraq and Afghanistan. Instead of writing off the debt, the Pentagon is billing soldiers for their enlistment bonus with high interest and threatening debt collection and liens if they do not comply. Continue reading