Rep. Loebsack Votes to Restore GI Bill Benefits Improved GI Benefits Provide a Free College Education to Strengthen American Military and the Economy

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Rep. Loebsack Votes to Restore GI Bill Benefits
Improved GI Benefits Provide a Free College Education to Strengthen American Military and the Economy

Today, Congressman Dave Loebsack voted in support of an emergency supplemental bill that would restore full GI benefits for soldiers currently serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. This new GI Bill for the 21st century is a key step in honoring the service and sacrifice of our troops by restoring the promise of the GI Bill to pay for a full four-year college education.

"For too long our country has not lived up to our promise of serving our nation's veterans with the same honor, commitment and dignity with which they have so bravely served our nation," said Congressman Loebsack. "By restoring GI benefits, we will be offering 1.7 million brave men and women who have served in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan educational benefits on par with those provided to veterans of the World War II era. Not only will this strengthen our military, it will also make the heroes of Iraq and Afghanistan part of a new American economic recovery, just like after World War II."

Under the new GI Bill, servicemembers returning from Iraq or Afghanistan who have served 3 years on active duty would receive benefits to cover the costs of a four-year education up to the level of the most expensive in-state public school, along with a stipend for housing, books and other expenses. Education benefits would be available to troops who have served at least 3 months of active duty service since September 11, 2001, including members of the National Guard and Reserve. Right now, veterans' education benefits cover only about 60 percent of the cost of a public-school education.

The original GI Bill launched millions of families on a course of prosperity and toward achieving the American Dream—and set the American economy on the right course after a draining war. It made a free college education available to more than 15 million war veterans after World War II. By 1956, about 8 million World War II veterans took advantage the GI Bill education and job training. Every dollar spent on the original GI Bill created a seven-fold return for the economy.

The new GI bill is broadly supported by all major veterans' organizations, including the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.

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