Under pressure from Congress, the Pentagon has agreed to suspend its demand that around 2,000 California National Guard veterans repay re-enlistment and retention bonuses they received during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The bonuses were illegal and Defense Secretary Ash Carter says the Pentagon would put in place a new process that, quote, “puts as little burden as possible on any soldier who received an improper payment through no fault of his or her own”. Nevada County’s Congressman, Doug LaMalfa credits assertive action from the California delegation….

click to listen to Congressman LaMalfa

The “Sacramento Bee” revealed the fraudulent payments 6 years ago and says Congress has ignored the issue. But LaMalfa says he and most House members just became aware of it in the last week…

click to listen to Congressman LaMalfa

The Pentagon was demanding repayments normally ranging from 15 to $20,000 per soldier. Defense Secretary Carter says efforts to reclaim the money will be dropped until a more efficient process is in place early next year for soldiers to appeal the requirement. He says the goal is to resolve all cases by next July.