Published: 06-27-08
Includes Hutchison’s VA Debt Forgiveness Bill Transferability Legislation - Cornyn Helps Pass Bipartisan G.I. Bill
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) Texas’s senior Senator released the following statement after voting in favor of the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations bill:
“Today the Senate passed legislation that will fund military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan through the end of the year. This legislation was imperfect. I am disappointed that my amendment to include $100 million for domestic law enforcement along the border was removed. The border communities in my state of Texas are being strained as violence between Mexico’s warring drug cartels spills into the U.S. I will continue working to provide U.S. law enforcement with increased funding in the months ahead.
“This legislation included two key provisions that I authored to benefit our nation’s veterans. I introduced the legislation to allow veterans to transfer their earned G.I. Bill educational benefits to their spouses and children. My other bill allows veterans who have made the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq and Afghanistan will be relieved of debt owed to the Department of Veterans Affairs.”
Cornyn Helps Pass Bipartisan G.I. Bill Modernization - Landmark Legislation to Expand Benefits for Service Members & Military Families Sent to President for Expected Approval
With the strong support of U.S. Sen. John Cornyn a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee the Senate this evening passed a landmark modernization of the Montgomery G.I. Bill program that will significantly enhance educational benefits for service members and for the first time allow those benefits to be transferred to family members. The measure will now be sent to the President for his expected signature.
“This is an important and long overdue victory for our service members and their families who have sacrificed so much for our country. While some have unfortunately sought to use this issue for political gain in recent weeks I’m proud that many in Congress worked together in a bipartisan manner to send a good bill to the President’s desk. Our troops and our military families deserve no less than a Congress that is working together to support them.
“I’m especially pleased that we were able to improve this legislation beyond that which originally passed the Senate earlier this month. It now includes a key provision advocated by myself Senator John McCain and others which will allow service members for the first time to transfer unused educational benefits they have earned through the G.I. Bill to their spouses and children.
Transferability supports military families and thereby strengthens and enhances retention which must remain an important priority for our all-volunteer force. Although it was not included in the original Webb bill I’m pleased my Democratic colleagues recognized the importance of including it.
“I was proud to support this important legislation and I’m pleased that many in Congress were able to set aside partisan differences work together and do what’s right to strengthen this very important program for our service members and their families.”
