Scott Commends Bipartisan Reintroduction of the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill

            Representative Scott was unable to participate in a press call this afternoon to announce the reintroduction due to a hearing in the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security, of which he is the Chairman.  Below is the Congressman’s prepared statement for the press call:

            “Thank you all for taking the time this afternoon to be on this press call.  I would like to commend my friend and colleague, Congressman Harry Mitchell, a leader on the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, for introducing the revised version of the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill in the U.S. House of Representatives.  I would also like to commend Senator Jim Webb, the bill’s author and sponsor in the Senate, for his leadership on this issue.  Everyone on this call agrees that when we talk about supporting our troops, that commitment does not and should not end when they return home.

            “The Post-9/11 G.I. Bill provides those that took it upon themselves to enlist in our military after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 the same benefits that this nation afforded our veterans of World War II – a G.I. Bill that covers tuition for public institutions, the cost of books and a monthly housing stipend.  The current Montgomery G.I. Bill program is a benefit designed for peacetime service.  The current program was never intended to be a wartime benefit.  Our men and woman who have served multiple tours of duty in Afghanistan and Iraq deserve an educational benefit that more accurately reflects their service in combat.

            “This bill should be a priority in both the House and the Senate regardless of party affiliation.  The bipartisan level of support for this legislation is tremendous.  S. 22 in the Senate has 52 cosponsors and the new House version has 170 cosponsors.  All of us have an obligation to our men and woman fighting overseas to provide them with the benefits they so rightly deserve.  It is imperative that we support our service men and women not only while they are fighting overseas, but also when they return home and attempt to better their lives through education.”

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