On the recordJuly 15, 2015
The original GI Bill, the Serviceman's Readjustment Act of 1944, is one of the most significant laws in our history. It provided education to millions of Americans and created economic opportunity for a generation. Subsequent GI Bills were signed into law to cover the soldiers of subsequent conflicts, but these benefits came with a catch. They had to be used within 10 or 15 years. Mr. Speaker, the sacrifice of our soldiers is immeasurable and timeless, and our gratitude should not come with an expiration date. Many returning veterans postpone education to support their families or rehabilitate from war injuries. A recent VA report found that 21 percent of veterans had not used their educational benefits because their period of eligibility had expired. Moreover, placing limits on educational benefits is out of step with the increasingly competitive global economy. Today many workers will need specific skill training throughout their entire career. I have introduced the Veterans Education Flexibility Act to remove these outdated deadlines and retroactively restore the benefits to the Americans who earned them. I encourage my colleagues to join on this bill to correct this terrible injustice. ____________________
