Led by House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R- North Reading) and the Republican Leadership team, the House GOP Caucus was successful in offering, and having adopted, an amendment calling for a $700,000 increase to the Welcome Home Bonus account to provide up to $1,000 bonus payments for residents returning from active deployment.

Offered on the heels of President Barack Obama’s announcement of the return of combat troops from Iraq and in advance of Veterans’ Day, the proposed increase in funding will help to ensure benefits for the 28,000 Massachusetts service-members currently deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan. 

“We must have the funding and resources in place for the Commonwealth’s service men and women, particularly in light of the President’s announcement of troop withdrawals,” said House Minority Leader Brad Jones.

 “These brave soldiers are returning to a struggling economy and a bleak job market. By transitioning $700,000 from the states anticipated increase in revenue, we will ensure the better allocation of funding at this point in time and a smooth transition home for the Bay State’s bravest.”   

The amendment, filed during debate on the Supplemental Budget, will redirect $700,000 from the $395 million increase in anticipated revenue to the Welcome Home Bonus account within the Office of the Treasurer and Receiver-General.

“I was very pleased to support this amendment.  Our service men and women give so much for us, and this country, and I feel that this is the least we can do,” stated Representative Ferguson.  

The Republican Leadership team was joined in offering the amendment, which now stands before the Senate for their approval, by Representatives George T. Ross (R-Attleboro) and Richard Bastien (R-Gardner), Republican members on the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs.