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UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 2492
Page 1 of 2
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A JOINT RESOLUTION urging the United States Department of Defense and the 1
federal government to protect the earned benefits of our veterans from retaliatory and 2
punitive measures. 3
WHEREAS, the people of Kentucky recognize and celebrate the patriotic service 4
and community contributions of the more than 370,000 Kentucky veterans and their 5
families, totaling over one million residents, who call our great Commonwealth th eir 6
home; and 7
WHEREAS, in recognition of their vital contribution to our state economy and 8
local communities, we voice full support for the preservation and protection of their 9
earned benefits from any punitive elimination or reduction of their retiree pay , veteran 10
healthcare, or disability compensation for any exercise of their First Amendment right of 11
free speech; and 12
WHEREAS, Kentucky veterans have faithfully served the nation and we steadfastly 13
honor their service by protecting their honorably earned benefits; and 14
WHEREAS, any punitive risk that unjustly threatens Kentucky veterans' benefits 15
would severely impact our 370,000 veterans and their families, who represent 25 percent 16
of our population; and 17
WHEREAS, threats to recall any veteran into active dut y for the purpose of 18
conducting a court martial to downgrade or eliminate justly earned benefits sets a 19
dangerous precedent for any and all veterans stating that their earned benefits could be 20
subject to arbitrary and capricious administrative action by th e United States Department 21
of Defense or the United States Department of Veterans Affairs; and 22
WHEREAS, protected First Amendment speech doesn't require agreement to be 23
protected, and its exercise should never be used against a person to threaten, intimida te, 24
or provoke action. Retaliatory threats against protected speech are a valid concern that 25
warrants action from the Commonwealth to protect its veterans; and 26
WHEREAS, to disenfranchise one veteran can disenfranchise all veterans; 27
UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 2492
Page 2 of 2
XXXX 3/3/2026 1:45 PM Jacketed
NOW, THEREFORE, 1
Be it resolved by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky: 2
Section 1. The General Assembly hereby urges the United States Department of 3
Defense and the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to protect the earned 4
benefits of veterans now and into the future from retaliatory and punitive political action. 5
Section 2. The General Assembly stands with our military veterans in 6
advocating for their right to free speech and the protection of their earned retirement, 7
healthcare, and disability benefits from specious claims. 8
Section 3. The General Assembly condemns any course of action that would 9
deny or revoke earned military benefits unjustly for political gain. 10
Section 4. The Clerk of the House of Representatives i s directed to transmit 11
copies of this Resolution to Representative Pamela Stevenson and to the Kentucky 12
congressional delegation. 13