Washington, DC – Just days before the 64th anniversary of the signing of the original GI Bill, the House of Representatives passed a domestic spending measure that includes the historic new GI Bill for the 21st Century.  U.S. Rep. John Hall, Chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, helped the House pass this historic legislation that will double the current veterans’ education benefit to fully cover four-year public college costs for U.S. service members.

 

“Like the original GI Bill after World War II, this 21st Century GI Bill is going to give veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan the education they need to succeed after military service,” said Hall.  “It is also going to help provide a much needed boost to America’s economic recovery.”

Although Rep. Hall and the House previously passed the 21st Century GI Bill in May, the President refused to sign the legislation.  The President has agreed to sign the legislation passed by the House on Thursday.

 

Under the new GI Bill, U.S. servicemen and women returning from Iraq or Afghanistan, who have served 3 years on active duty since September 11, 2001, would receive benefits to cover the costs of a four-year education up to the level of the most expensive in-state public tuition, along with a monthly stipend of approximately $1,000 for living expenses and $1,000 annually for books.

 

The education benefits could also be transferred to service members’ children and spouses if they served six years or longer.  Currently, veterans’ education benefits cover only about 60 percent of the cost of a public-school education. 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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