The U.S. House of Representatives on Monday and the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee on Wednesday unanimously approved legislation to update the Post 9/11 GI Bill, reported Military.com and Stars and Stripes.
The Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017 would expand the educational benefits to veterans in a number of ways, including by eliminating extending lifetime access to education benefits rather than ending them after 15 years. Additionally, under the measure, veterans who are recipients of a Purple Heart would get full benefits regardless of the amount of time spent on active duty. The bill would also fully restore the GI Bill educational benefits of student veterans who were affected by the closures of Corinthian Colleges and ITT Technical Institutes.
The legislation "will empower service members, survivors and dependents for generations to come," said House bill sponsor Phil Roe (R-TN). "For the first time in the history of our GI Bill, they can carry these benefits with them throughout their lives."
Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-GA) introduced an identical companion bill last week in the Senate. The chamber's Veterans Affairs' Committee approved the measure on Wednesday. The package now moves to the full Senate for consideration.
Related Links
H.R. 3218 - The Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017
https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/3218?r=62
S. 1598 - The Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017
http://aacrao.org/docs/default-source/Advocacy1/s-1598-bag17859.pdf?sfvrsn=2
Military.com
http://www.military.com/daily-news/2017/07/24/house-moves-toward-easy-passage-new-forever-gi-bill.html
Stars and Stripes
https://www.stripes.com/news/gi-bill-expansion-moves-to-senate-floor-for-a-vote-1.479957