Dusty Johnson: “I rise today to urge an anonymous Senate colleague to lift his or her hold that has been placed on critical legislation…”

“I rise today to urge an anonymous Senate colleague to lift his or her hold that has been placed on critical legislation for America's veterans. As you are aware, the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee approved important legislation in October that will make significant improvements to the Montgomery GI Bill, expand benefits for Persian Gulf War veterans, and enhance the VA Home Loan program. The Senate must act on the Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 2001 before the end of this legislative session. I have advocated updating education benefits for veterans and introduced comprehensive legislation with Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) at the beginning of the year to bring Montgomery GI Bill benefits in line with the rising costs of higher education. The Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act represents an important first step in ultimately restoring the effectiveness of the Montgomery GI Bill as a tool in the recruitment and retention of the best and brightest in our armed forces. Unfortunately, an anonymous member of the Senate is preventing veterans from receiving these expanded educational benefits.”