Congress easily passed last week legislation to create an identification card for all honorably discharged service members. Supporters say the bill, now awaiting the signature of the president, will allow veterans to quickly prove their honorable service if they are asked. The bill was sponsored by Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., who said it proves Congress can put partisanship aside when the issue is a good one. The cards will be provided through the Department of Veterans Affairs. Currently, veterans who do not serve 20 years and have retiree documentation must carry paperwork that proves their service. Buchanan pointed out that this paperwork includes personal information such as Social Security numbers that put veterans at risk when showing it to prove their service.
Military Times pointed out that the new card would not replace medical IDs or official defense retiree IDs and could not be used to prove eligibility for federal benefits. Veterans who want the card will have to request it and pay a small fee to cover the program’s cost. There is no schedule for when the cards would become available.