Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I yield so much time as he may consume to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Jones).

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. I thank the gentleman from South Carolina.

Mr. Speaker, in July, the President's Commission on Care for America's Returning Wounded Warriors reported that the Department of Defense was applying a rule that enlistees who leave the service early cannot receive their full enlistment bonus. The Commission was confident that this rule was not intended to apply to servicemen and women whose combat-related injuries forced them to leave the military. At that point, the Commission received assurances from the Department of Defense that this problem would be addressed. Today, the Congress will ensure that the problem is addressed by passing H.R. 3793, the Veterans Guaranteed Bonus Act of 2007.

As Americans, we should never break our promises to our veterans, especially in time of war. To promise a significant amount of money to a young American and then demand its return or refuse to continue distribution when the man or woman is injured in combat and subsequently discharged is unacceptable. In early October, I joined Congressmen Altmire, Stearns and Murphy to remedy this problem.

Today, over 270 of our colleagues and 36 veterans organizations have joined us to advance H.R. 3793, the Veterans Guaranteed Bonus Act of 2007. This legislation guarantees that no servicemember who dies or is retired or separated for disability will be required to repay or forfeit their bonus. We cannot thank our veterans enough for the sacrifices they have made for our country. When our men and women come home from war, the cost of an enlistment bonus is low compared to the sacrifice that is made by our soldiers and Marines.

I am certain this House will pass H.R. 3793, the Veterans Guaranteed Bonus Act of 2007.