San Diego - Today, U.S. Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52) released the following statement on the ongoing crisis regarding the recoupment of unauthorized bonus payments made to National Guard members:

“I applaud yesterday’s decision from Secretary of Defense Ash Carter to cease the collection of unauthorized bonus payments. While a congressional fix may be needed, I urge Secretary Carter to use his existing authorities and resources to repay veterans and their families who have been wronged.

“Top Republican and Democratic leadership on the House Armed Services Committee have agreed to and share my commitment to fixing this problem; we also agree that the National Defense Authorization Act, which we hope to finalize when we return to Washington next month, is the quickest and best way to provide a permanent fix. As a member of the conference committee working through the final version of the bill, I commit to our servicemembers, veterans, and their families that if a congressional fix is needed, we will make them whole and remove the burden of this mistake from their shoulders.”