Washington, D.C. – On Veterans Day, Representative Kevin Mullin (D-CA-15), Representative Ed Case (D-HI-01) and Representative James Moylan (R-Guam), announced their reintroduction of the bipartisan Filipino Veterans Fairness Act to ensure Filipino World War II veterans and their families receive the benefits they deserve.
“During World War II, over 250,000 Filipino troops bravely fought under U.S. command, saving countless lives during their service. It’s unacceptable that these veterans were stripped of the benefits they were entitled to,” Mullin said. “I cannot imagine the pain Filipino veterans and their families felt and the irreparable harm caused by this unjustified disparate treatment. I’m proud to reintroduce bipartisan legislation that would address this longstanding injustice and demonstrate our appreciation for the service and sacrifices Filipino veterans made for our country.”
“On Guam, the stories of our Filipino World War II veterans are woven into the fabric of our island’s history,” said Representative Moylan. “They fought with courage and sacrifice alongside American forces, and their legacy lives on in the families and communities they helped protect. As we reintroduce the Filipino Veterans Fairness Act, we are renewing our solemn promise to ensure these heroes receive the full recognition, benefits, and dignity they earned through their service.”
“In my district in Hawaii stand three bronze sculptures honoring our comrades-in-arms of Filipino descent who fought alongside us in the Philippines in World War II,” said Representative Case. “While this monument serves as a reminder of their bravery, loyalty and, for too many, ultimate sacrifice, we must also not forget the promises we made to them and their families.”
When World War II broke out, Filipinos volunteered to join the war effort and were promised the benefits entitled to U.S. troops. However, in 1946, Congress partially rescinded benefits from certain Filipino veterans. Representative Mullin’s reintroduction of the Filipino Veterans Fairness Act continues the tireless work of his predecessor, former Representative Jackie Speier, who first introduced a similar bill in 2011 and in every subsequent Congress in which she served. Representative Mullin reintroduced it in 2023, his first year in Congress.
The Filipino Veterans Fairness Act would fulfill our nation’s commitment to those who served, and offer a need-based death pension to survivors of these veterans. The bill also directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to consider alternative military documentation when determining eligibility, which would remove a significant hurdle that has kept many deserving dependents from receiving their rightful benefits, since many official service records for Filipino veterans were destroyed in a 1973 fire at the National Personnel Records Center.
The Filipino Veterans Fairness Act has been endorsed by Veterans of Foreign Wars.
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