
A Next Generation GI Bill
Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-08) joined the House Monday in passing bipartisan legislation to strengthen veterans’ educational benefits. The Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017 [H.R. 3218] — cosponsored by Fitzpatrick — improves and extends GI Bill benefits by removing time restrictions for service members using the GI Bill, consolidating the GI Bill into a single program over time to reduce administrative costs, increasing GI Bill funding for Reservists and Guardsmen, and supporting veterans who enter certain technical courses.
Prior to the bill’s passage, Fitzpatrick addressed the House on the importance of investing in our veterans’ educations. His full remarks as prepared for delivery are below. Watch or download the footage HERE.
“Since 1944, the GI Bill has provided veterans the opportunity to invest in themselves and their futures through access to education benefits. My father attended college on the GI Bill following his service to our country — launching his life, and putting our family on the path to success.
While the world has changed since 1944, the dedication and service of our men and women in uniform remains constant. These volunteer-warriors stand ready to defend our nation in theaters around the globe. While we can never fully thank them for their commitment, we must endeavor to assist them and their families wherever possible.
The Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act improves and extends the benefits granted to veterans and their surviving dependents through the GI Bill — helping to ease the transition from active duty to civilian life by paving the way with new career opportunities and technical education.
This bipartisan legislation is a crucial step to investing in the success of our veterans and advancing the common cause of serving those who have served us so honorably.”
Major Provisions of the Bill Would:
- Remove time restrictions to use the GI Bill for future eligible recipients. This would allow them able to use their GI bill benefits for their entire life as opposed to the current 15-year timeline. Eligible recipients would be servicemembers, veterans and surviving spouses and children;
- Provide significant increases in GI Bill funding for Reservists and Guardsmen, dependents, surviving spouses, and surviving dependents;
- Provide 100% GI Bill eligibility to Post 9/11 Purple Heart recipients;
- Provide GI Bill eligibility to Reservists and Guardsmen who are currently being put on active duty and convalescent medical leave orders that do not currently accrue GI Bill eligibility;
- Provide an extra academic year’s worth of Post 9/11 benefits for over 3,300 veterans (per year) to help them finish a STEM degree;
- Create a pilot program that would pay for veterans to take certain high technology courses (coding boot camps, IT certifications etc.) and would also provide living stipends to veterans;
- Make it easier and cheaper for veterans to use their GI bill to take national tests or tests that lead to a license or credential;
- Restore eligibility for servicemembers whose school closes in the middle of a semester (ex. ITT Tech and Corinthian); and
- Authorize funding for IT improvements to ensure that GI Bill claims are processed quickly and accurately.
H.R. 3218 includes budget-neutral provisions that have been proposed and prioritized by Veterans Service Organizations. It is named for the principal architect of the original GI Bill, Harry W. Colmery.
“This bill, as currently written, would launch a new era for all who have honorably served in uniform, and for the nation as a whole,” said John Kamin, the American Legion’s Assistant Director of the National Veteran Employment and Education Division.
