Mikulski Applauds Passage on New G.I. Bill
Press Release
Mikulski Applauds Passage on New G.I. Bill
"We owe our veterans a debt of gratitude - not just with words, but with deeds."
Senator Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.), today applauded the Senate's passage of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act (S.22), which will improve education benefits for our troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan and mirror the benefits provided to veterans after World War II. Senator Mikulski is a co-sponsor of the bill, which was introduced by Senator Jim Webb (D-Va.) in January 2007, and pledged to fight for its passage in meetings with Maryland veterans. The bill now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.
"President Bush has no problem asking our troops to serve third and fourth tours of duty - but he is not even looking out for the service members who are already there or the veterans who are coming home," said Senator Mikulski. "We owe our veterans a debt of gratitude - not just with words, but with deeds. Our active and retired service members need to know that America is with them."
The Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2007, which is supported by the nation's leading veterans service organizations, expands the educational benefits our nation offers to the men and women who have served since Sept. 11, 2001. Existing law covers a maximum of 36 months of education at a value of about $39,000 for active duty service members. It also requires service members to pay $1,200 during their first year of service in order to even qualify for educational benefits.
This bill increases education benefits for all the men and women who have served on active duty since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, by:
Paying tuition for four years (up to the cost for the most expensive in-state school), plus a yearly stipend for housing, books and tutoring
Eliminating current law that requires service members to pay to access these benefits
Extending the length of time service members can access benefits from 10 to 15 years
Providing equitable benefits to members of the National Guard and Reserve who serve on active duty
"Our military men and women serve overseas in difficult and dangerous circumstances to keep America safe. They honor our country by volunteering to serve," said Senator Mikulski. "We must honor them by providing access to education when they come home that reflects the sacrifices they have made."
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