MN HF2917

Approximately 2,700 members of the 1st of the 34th Infantry Brigade deployed to Iraq in 2007 had their deployment extended an additional four months due to the troop surge ordered by President George W. Bush.

The United States Department of Defense promised a respite leave benefit valued at approximately $200 per day to soldiers affected by the extended deployment, with a total cumulative benefit owed of approximately $10,000,000.

As of the resolution date, 2,513 of the affected 1st of the 34th Brigade soldiers have not yet received their promised respite leave benefits from the federal government.

The House of Representatives urges the Secretary of Defense and other responsible federal government officials to promptly issue implementation guidance allowing Minnesota service members to submit claims for the respite leave benefits they were officially promised.

The Chief Clerk of the House is directed to transmit authenticated copies of the resolution to Minnesota's Congressional delegation, the Secretary of Defense, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.