Jim Matheson: “I want to bring to the Congress' attention what I have determined to be a loophole in the Montgomery GI bill education…”

“I want to bring to the Congress' attention what I have determined to be a loophole in the Montgomery GI bill education benefits. I have a local Marine reserve unit in Utah, Fox Company. They have served two different tours of active duty since September 11. One member was killed in Iraq, several sustained injuries. And yet when they returned after their second tour of duty and applied for Montgomery GI bill education benefits, they were denied because they did not put in 24 consecutive months. This is clearly not what was anticipated when the bill was first written; and yet now with our reliance on Guard and Reserve, this circumstance is going to repeat itself more and more. The gentlewoman from New Mexico (Mrs. Wilson) and I earlier this year introduced H.R. 772, which will close this loophole. It will allow our soldiers who put in 24 months of consecutive duty within a 5-year period to qualify for full Montgomery GI bill education benefits. This is the right thing to do. It is not a partisan issue. I urge all of my colleagues to join me in cosponsoring H.R. 722. ____________________”