Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) introduced the Coast Guard Combat-Injured Tax Fairness Act to return improperly withheld taxes back to combat-injured U.S. Coast Guard veterans. It also ensures they receive the same treatment as wounded combat veterans in other branches.
“Our servicemembers are the best among us, and the Coast Guard is no exception. It’s our duty to ensure all veterans receive the benefits they deserve,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. “I am proud to partner with Senator Cassidy to re-introduce the bipartisan Coast Guard Combat-Injured Tax Fairness Act, which will ensure Coast Guard veterans receive the full benefits they earned through their service. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle should be eager to get this done.”
“A wounded veteran is a wounded veteran, regardless the branch. They served and were hurt in the line of duty,” said Dr. Cassidy. “This shouldn’t be a discussion. This should have been passed yesterday.”
In 2016, the Combat-Injured Veterans Tax Fairness Act returned improperly withheld taxes owed to combat-injured veterans of the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, and U.S. Marine Corps. However, due to a technical error, combat-injured U.S. Coast Guard veterans were excluded.
A longtime champion for veterans and servicemembers, last month, Senator Warnock led a group of 34 Senators calling on Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Doug Collins to immediately reinstate the more than 1,000 VA employees terminated last week—essential employees who serve veterans and their families nationwide, including those combatting veteran suicide at the Veterans Crisis Line. Additionally, in January 2025, Senator Warnock secured $572,901 to support services for homeless veterans in the Atlanta area. The Housing Authority of Atlanta will receive $314,034 and the Housing Authority of East Point will receive $258,867 to provide rental assistance for homeless veterans, as well as case management and clinical services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs. In December 2024, Senator Warnock secured critical wins in newly passed legislation allowing surviving spouses of fallen servicemembers to maintain key military benefits.
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