Published: 06-25-08
Looks Forward to Passing G.I. Bill Expansion This Week
WASHINGTON—At a meeting in his Capitol Hill office today with representatives from America’s leading veterans’ services organizations U.S. Sen. John Cornyn a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee said he looks forward later this week to Congress passing a bill that will modernize and strengthen the Montgomery G.I. Bill program.
Among those Sen. Cornyn met with this afternoon were representatives from the American Legion the Military Officers Association of America Vietnam Veterans of America the National Guard Association of the U.S Veterans of Foreign Wars Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans of America and the American GI Forum. In addition to the G.I. Bill also discussed at the meeting were efforts to improve mental health care for veterans and the need for a stronger domestic energy policy; two issues which have been top priorities for Sen. Cornyn.
“An expansion of the Montgomery G.I. Bill is long overdue and I look forward to helping pass this important bipartisan legislation this week” Sen. Cornyn said.
Sen. Cornyn noted that the new legislation represents an improvement over the legislation that originally passed the Senate earlier this month. It now includes a key provision advocated by Sens. Cornyn and John McCain which would allow service members to transfer unused educational benefits they have earned through the G.I. Bill to their spouses and children. This provision which is a top priority for military personnel was not included in the original G.I. Bill expansion legislation introduced by U.S. Senator Jim Webb D-Va. but it was included in the alternative introduced by Sens. McCain and Lindsey Graham and cosponsored by Sen. Cornyn.
“It’s certainly regrettable that some have sought to use this issue for political gain over the last several weeks. When it comes to finding ways to improve benefits our service members deserve thoughtful debate not demagoguery. I’m pleased however that many in Congress were able to set aside partisan differences work together and do what’s right to strengthen this important benefit for our service members and their families” Sen. Cornyn said.
“This improved legislation in allowing troops and veterans who serve for longer periods to give their spouses and kids the gift of college education will also strengthen the critical efforts of our all-volunteer military to retain experienced service members. I look forward to helping to pass this legislation later this week” Sen. Cornyn concluded.
BACKGROUND:
Transferability of military education benefits to family members has been a top priority for Senator Cornyn. In addition to pressing for this provision to be included during the recent G.I. Bill modernization debate Senator Cornyn was also an original cosponsor of the Montgomery GI Bill Educational Assistance Transferability Act of 2008 S. 2575 introduced by Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison in January.
