Bipartisan G.I. Bill Reforms for Missouri's Veterans Have McCaskill's Support

Press Release

U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill today joined the leaders of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee and a bipartisan group of colleagues to support comprehensive legislation to improve veterans' education benefits and enhance the post-9/11 G.I. Bill.

"When Missouri's veterans return home from serving our country and protecting our freedoms, they deserve our full support as they start new chapters in their lives and careers--the same G.I. Bill support that helped my dad and so many others like him for generations," said McCaskill, the daughter of a World War II veteran and senior member of the Armed Services Committee. "This commonsense, bipartisan plan will help ensure all those who served receive the benefits and educational support they're due."

The Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act will further invest in the proven educational success of veterans and help propel them toward careers as civic, business and public leaders. The legislation makes much-needed updates for reservists, Purple Heart recipients, surviving family members, and veterans who face school closures while enrolled--something McCaskill has long advocated for. Additionally, the bill eliminates the arbitrary 15-year period in which a veteran is required to use their G.I. Bill benefits, allowing them to use their benefits at any time in their professional career.

McCaskill is a longtime advocate for ensuring the men and women who served their country receive the benefits they deserve, as well as fighting to make college more affordable and focusing on producing job-ready graduates. Last year, she signed onto legislation that would close a loophole that allows for-profit colleges and universities to inappropriately profit from educational benefits accrued by servicemembers and veterans.

McCaskill was a vocal supporter of the 21st Century GI Bill, which provided the greatest boost to veterans' higher education benefits since World War II. McCaskill was also a leading advocate for the VOW to Hire Heroes Act to help put more veterans back to work.

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