Jim Bunning: “my amendment provides funds to increase educational benefits for the National Guard and Reserve members under the GI…”

“my amendment provides funds to increase educational benefits for the National Guard and Reserve members under the GI bill. Currently, National Guard and Reserve members are eligible for only $282 per month under the GI bill. That is only 27 percent of the amount active-duty members can get. In 1985, Congress set educational benefits for our Guard and Reserve members at 47 percent of the active-duty benefit level. Since then, it has continued to slip to today's levels of 27 percent. My provision provides the funds needed to bring Guard and Reserve benefits back to that 40-percent mark. Today, we are using our National Guard and Reserve, as Senator Graham said, more than ever. They are being deployed away from their homes and families for longer periods of time and put in harm's way. We should provide them with educational benefits that reflect the contributions they make to our national security. I urge Members to support the Graham amendment.”