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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Congressmen Marion Berry (D-AR, 1st) joined General Wesley Clark in endorsing a new GI Bill of Rights for the 21st Century, released today on Capitol Hill by House Democrats.
“Throughout history, the men and women who have served our nation in uniform exemplify the best of the American spirit,” Berry said. “I am proud to support the new GI Bill of Rights for the 21st Century. None of us can adequately express our gratitude to those willing to trade their life for our freedom; however we can ensure the benefits they receive are more in line with their sacrifice.”
The new GI Bill of Rights for the 21st Century will improve benefits for our men and women in uniform today and provide long overdue benefits for the veterans and military retirees who have already served. It will bolster our support for our troops in harms way, as well as their families here at home. Further, there are special provisions for the National Guard and Reserve, as their service in Iraq and Afghanistan has been above the call of duty. It will provide better education, health care and job training benefits for those who have answered the call.
The package will improve veterans’ health care to meet the needs of our returning troops, by increasing resources, bolstering mental health care for returning soldiers and blocking increases in prescription drug co-payments and enrollment fees for veterans.
For our troops, this package will modernize and enhance the GI Bill – providing the full cost for college or job training for those serving four years of active duty. These provisions are critical to helping our returning soldiers become a productive part of a prosperous economy, and also provide an important recruiting tool to encourage new soldiers to sign up.
For military retirees and the families of those who died in the line of duty, the New GI Bill of Rights will fully repeal the Disabled Veterans Tax, and end the Military Families Tax.
“Our commitment to establishing a new GI Bill should be no less than the commitment those in the military have given,” Berry added. “Beyond that, every man and woman in uniform needs and deserves our support and our prayers that they come home soon and come home safe.”
The new GI Bill of Rights for the 21st Century sponsored by House Democrats’ was endorsed by a number of veterans’ and military organizations, including the American Legion. |
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