DeLauro Votes to Strengthen Post-9/11 GI Bill

Press Release

Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (CT -3) voted today in support of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Improvements Act (S.3447), which will improve the implementation and benefits of the historic Post-9/11 GI Bill. The bill, which was passed by the Senate, will now be sent to the President to be signed into law.

Similar to legislation sponsored by Congresswoman DeLauro, the Post 9/11 Veterans Job Training Act (H.R. 3337), this legislation, among other things, expands the Post- 9/11 GI Bill by providing benefits for veterans choosing to pursue apprenticeship and on-job training programs that help to cover the associated monthly cost of housing, as well as books and supplies. In 2009, over 7 percent of new veterans taking advantage of the Montgomery G.I. Bill (MGIB-AD) used those benefits for vocational and technical training, including for on the job training and apprenticeship programs. Unfortunately, the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill did not provide benefits for such training opportunities thereby providing a disservice to some veterans who sign up for the program and later find that it does not help them realize their career goals.

"I am proud to have voted for this legislation, which honors our nation's veterans by providing them with enhanced opportunities to pursue their education. Providing those veterans who do not pursue an academic course of study opportunities to advance in their jobs in a wide --range of industries is the right thing to do for those veterans that have bravely served our country since 9/11, particularly when we need to do all we can to help veterans get into the workforce."

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