'Shameful Nickel And Dimming Of Our Veterans': Jill Tokuda Slams Commissary Surcharge For Veterans

4 months ago

During a House Armed Services Committee markup meeting before the Congressional recess, Rep. Jill Tokuda (D-HI) spoke about a surcharge that applies to select veterans shopping.

Transcript

00:00Now let's turn to log number 5162R1 by Ms. Takuda.

00:10For what purpose does the gentlelady from Hawaii seek recognition?

00:13Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

00:15Will the clerk please distribute the amendment without objection.

00:18The reading of the amendments dispensed with the chair now recognizes the gentlelady

00:22from Hawaii for the purpose of explaining her amendment.

00:25Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My amendment would suspend for calendar year 2026 the unfair,

00:30punitive, and counterproductive surcharge that the commissary applies to select veterans

00:35with shopping privileges. These include veterans with service-connected disabilities,

00:39veterans with purple hearts, and former prisoners of war,

00:42veterans who are Medal of Honor winners, and caregivers of veterans.

00:46They have already paid a high price in blood, in battle, in broken bodies, and sleepless nights.

00:52Well over 5 million veterans are eligible to shop at the commissary and would benefit

00:56from removing the surcharge. And while this surcharge might seem small to some, about 1.4%,

01:03it's not the right way to treat the people who served this nation in uniform and in some cases

01:08at great personal sacrifice. Sadly, we also know that one in three disabled veterans are food insecure

01:15and going hungry as we speak. Furthermore, it's actually counterproductive to the goal of attracting

01:21new customers and increasing sales for the commissary, increased sales that are critical to the

01:26sustainability of the operation and to address the commissary's large facilities backlog.

01:31While my amendment can't be adopted this year due to a budgetary point of order,

01:36I hope that I can work with this committee and members on both sides of the aisle going forward to

01:40permanently eliminate this surcharge. These brave men and women didn't hesitate to sacrifice for us.

01:46We also must not hesitate to stop this shameful nickel and diming of our veterans who have paid a very

01:51high price for our freedoms. Thank you, Mr. Chair, and I withdraw my amendment.

01:55Jen lady withdraws her amendment.

'Shameful Nickel And Dimming Of Our Veterans': Jill Tokuda Slams Commissary Surcharge For Veterans

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