Hearing Of The Subcommittee On Economic Opportunity Of The House Committee On Veterans Affairs - U.S. Department Of Veterans Affairs Status Report On Post-9/11 GI Bill

Statement

Mr. Chairman, thank you for calling this important hearing. I am here today to bring attention to the experiences that the veterans of South Florida have had in the recent implementation of the 21st Century GI Bill.

Let me say at the outset that I am grateful that Congress passed this legislation, and I was proud to be a sponsor and a strong supporter. I strongly believe that those who put on the uniform deserve the best benefits when they return--and that includes a quality education. The GI Bill for the 21st Century will make our veterans an integral part of our economic recovery by providing a new generation with the education they need to succeed.

In July, I sponsored a college fair at Broward College in my district for veterans who had recently returned from Iraq and Afghanistan. I wanted to ensure that they knew about the benefits that they would receive and make sure that they were prepared to take advantage of them.

However, some constituents found that benefits were not easily processed. One constituent from Boca Raton, Florida has already paid for his books out of pocket. The college of his choice gave him an extension for tuition payments until November, but cannot register for next semester's classes, making it more difficult for him to get the required credits for graduation.

Another constituent from Coconut Creek Florida filed his tuition benefits paperwork in July and was told that processing could take eight weeks. He began attending classes in August, but unable to pay for his tuition, he worries when his check will come.

I am grateful that Secretary Shinseki and the staff at the Department of Veterans Affairs moved quickly to address these issues once it the problem became apparent. Their swift action was certainly an important message to send to our veterans. But, this process should not require the intervention of a member of Congress.

Mr. Chairman, it was not easy for these veterans to earn these benefits; they endured the horrible scars of war. But, it should be easy to access these benefits. The 21st Century GI Bill is an extraordinary opportunity for veterans to return to civilian life and follow their dreams. I look forward to working with you Mr. Chairman, and the Department of Veterans Affairs to ensure that veterans are paid in a timely manner and that we fulfill the promise that we made to our nation's heroes.

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