In the Spirit of FDR, Clinton and Murphy Introduce Legislation to Give Veterans the Resources They Need and Opportunities They Deserve

(Washington, D.C.) – Standing with leaders from veterans’ service organizations, education, and housing, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) and Patrick Murphy (D-PA), former U.S. Army Captain and Iraq war veteran, today announced that they have introduced legislation in both chambers of Congress to enact a new GI Bill for the 21st Century. The new legislation, the 21st Century GI Bill of Rights Act of 2007, will expand educational, housing and entrepreneurial opportunities for soldiers, veterans and their families. Senator Clinton and Representative Murphy were joined in announcing the bill by Captain Mike Smith (Retired) (USN), President, Reserve Officers Association; Dennis Cullinan, Director Legislative Affairs, Veterans of Foreign Wars; Joe Washam, Chief Liaison of Government Affairs, Salute America’s Heroes; Pat Combs, National President, National Association of Realtors; and Dr. Robert A. Scott, President, Adelphi University, who attended college as a recipient of the original GI Bill. They were also joined by representatives of many of the organizations endorsing the bill, including the Military Officers Association of America, National Military Families Association, AmVets, and the National Center for Women & Information Technology.

“The GI Bill has helped millions of soldiers transition successfully to civilian life and it has been one of the best investments we have made as a nation. Now it is time to update and modernize the GI Bill for the 21st century to meet the needs of today’s soldiers, veterans and their families, from education to housing and microloans to start a small business. This is the right way to invest in the future of our servicemembers and reward the service they have given to our country,” said Senator Clinton.

"With a new generation of veterans putting their lives on their line, it's time for us to honor their commitment and sacrifice," said Congressman Murphy. "Thanks to the original GI Bill, countless veterans earned a good education, bought a home or started a business. As a soldier who deployed twice since 9/11, I am proud to help the next generation live that same American dream."

The 21st Century GI Bill of Rights Act of 2007 will guarantee eligibility to all servicemembers -- Active Duty, National Guard, and Reserves -- who have served since September 11, 2001 and deployed overseas in support of a combat operation. Eligibility will also be extended to Active Duty personnel who have served a minimum of two years on Active Duty since September 11, 2001, and National Guard and Reserve personnel who have served a minimum aggregate of two years on Active Duty since September 11, 2001.

The Clinton-Murphy bill will:

• Increase Education Opportunities. The act will fund undergraduate education for servicemembers – eight college semesters of tuition, fees, books, room and board, and other educational costs (commensurate with costs paid by non-veterans). The education grant also can be used for specialized trade or technical training, and certification and licensing programs for both veterans and disabled veterans. Participants will not be required to pay into the program to receive grants.
• Increase Veterans Housing Opportunities. The act will exempt Veterans from paying loan fees and expand opportunities for veterans to purchase, build, repair or improve a home by increasing access to low interest loans through the Veterans Affairs Home Loan Guaranty Loan Program for homes valued up to $625,000. The current program requires loan fees and is capped at the conforming loan rate of $417,000.
• Increase Veterans Entrepreneurial Opportunities. The Clinton-Murphy bill would establish a Veterans Microloan Program, administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Small Business Administration. The program would provide Veterans microloans for entrepreneurial ventures up to $100,000 with interest rates capped at 2.5 percent and without requiring collateral. The program would also direct the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide Veterans counseling, technical assistance, and community outreach assistance.

“With these enhanced benefits, today’s veterans can become an army of college graduates prepared for careers in the critical need areas of science, technology, engineering, education, and health care. As a beneficiary of the Vietnam Era G.I. Bill, and president of a University that welcomed hundreds of G.I.'s to its campus post World War II, I have seen first-hand how federal investments can generate enormous and profound returns. By renewing our commitment to the intent of the Servicemembers' Readjustment Act, we can invest in America's future, and express our thanks to those who have served us well. Our economy, our schools, our healthcare system, our businesses, and our communities will benefit,” said Adelphi University President Robert A. Scott.

“The Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes is proud to support the 21st Century Bill of Rights that is being introduced by both Senator Clinton and Representative Murphy. We believe that each element of the bill will provide the opportunity to create a better way of life for our Nation’s severely injured service members and disabled veterans. As a non-partisan organization, the Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes believes that the benefits and care for all military service members and veterans should be a bi-partisan effort of Congress,” said Joe Washam, Chief Liaison of Government Affairs, Salute America’s Heroes.

“The Reserve Officers Association recognizes the importance of enacting legislation to reform and enhance the educational opportunities available to reservists. While much has been done to place members of the reserve components on equal standing with their active counterparts with regard to benefits, services, and recruiting incentives, Reservists face unique pressures and concerns that their active counterparts do not. They must balance civilian employment commitments with voluntary military service and excel at both. The GI Bill has been an invaluable asset to the individual service member seeking to strengthen their minds and continue contributing to the nation after their military service. It also provides an irreplaceable incentive to our youngest generation to remain in uniform,” said CAPT Michael P. Smith, USN (Ret.), President of the Reserve Officers Association.

“Homeownership is often referred to as the American Dream. As the leading advocates for homeownership and affordable housing, Realtors® have long supported policies that make housing more accessible and affordable for America's veterans. We support efforts to improve housing benefits for all veterans, no matter where they live. We are honored to be here and join Senator Clinton in support of legislation that will give every soldier the treatment and respect they deserve whether through education, entrepreneurial opportunities, or the chance to achieve the American dream of homeownership,” said Pat V. Combs, President, National Association of Realtors.

The 21st Century GI Bill of Rights Act is endorsed by veterans service organizations, including: The Reserve Officers Association, The Veterans of Foreign Wars, AmVets, Military Officers Association of America, and the Non-Commissioned Officers Association. The act is also endorsed by family and wounded servicemembers organizations, including: The National Military Families Association, Wounded Warrior Project, and Salute America’s Heroes of Ossining, New York. The bill is supported by education organizations, including: American Association of State Colleges and Universities; State University of New York College at Cortland, Cortland, New York; Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York; Adelphi University, Garden City, New York; Canisius College, Buffalo, New York; Mercy College of New York, Dobbs Ferry, New York; and National Center for Women & Information Technology. The bill is also endorsed by housing leader the National Association of Realtors and the Association for Enterprise Opportunity, a leading national advocate for microloan programs.

Prior to serving in Congress, Patrick Murphy was deployed to Bosnia and then to Iraq. In Iraq he served with the 82nd Airborne where he was awarded the Bronze Star for service. He is the first and only Iraq war veteran to serve in Congress.

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For Immediate Release, May 16, 2007
Contact: Adam Abrams (202) 225-4276
Clinton Press Office (202) 224-2243 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it