WASHINGTON – President Bush today signed the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009, making law a provision championed by U.S. Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Menominee) guaranteeing no American service member wounded in combat can be denied the bonus they were promised.

“It is unconscionable that the Department of Defense would deny troops their bonuses when they are severely injured in combat,” Stupak said.  “The best way to honor our troops is to live up to the commitments we have made to them.”

Northern Michigan resident and Iraq war veteran Derek Gagne brought the Department of Defense policy on bonuses to Stupak’s attention.  The military was not always paying service members their full enlistment, re-enlistment or other bonuses if they were severely wounded and could not return to duty.  Combat wounded veterans discharged because of the severity of their injuries were being denied their promised bonuses.

Gagne, an Army National Guardsman from Wilson, was denied part of his bonus after suffering the loss of his right leg, a severe eye injury and losing part of his left foot when his Humvee struck an IED in Iraq.  While completing paperwork at Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington, D.C., Derek was told he would not receive the remainder of his enlistment bonus.

“This administration is very quick to go to war but far too slow in responding to the needs of our veterans and their families,” Stupak said.  “We know Derek is not the only soldier impacted by this disgraceful policy and I am pleased we have passed this law to ensure that all outstanding bonuses are paid fully and promptly.”

The bill will require the Department of Defense to pay out the remainder of any bonus not yet paid and prohibit the Department of Defense from requiring the repayment of any unearned portion of a bonus for service members who die while on active duty and are separated or retired from the military due to combat-related injuries.

Stupak has been a leader on several issues related to the rights of troops and their families.  A measure Stupak authored was signed into law requiring federal facilities to lower their flags to half staff upon a governor’s proclamation that flags should be flown at half staff in honor of fallen heroes.  Stupak also authored the “Fallen Service Member Respectful Return Amendment” after hearing from families who had difficulties persuading the Department of Defense to transport the remains of their loved ones to the nearest local airport.