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Klobuchar Helps Secure Improved Education Benefits for Military Veterans

Cosponsors 21st Century GI Bill in Senate

May 22, 2008

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar helped ensure that resources for improved veterans’ benefits were included in a major military spending bill passed by the Senate today. Klobuchar is a cosponsor of the 21st Century GI Bill, which would overhaul the existing GI Bill benefits program to reflect the sacrifices that American service men and women have made since September 11, 2001.

“After more than six years in Afghanistan and over five years in Iraq, our service men and women have undergone repeated deployments to combat zones where they have faced unprecedented challenges and conditions,’’ Klobuchar said. “These veterans deserve our long-term commitment as they make the transition to post-military life and pursue their civilian careers.’’

The 21st Century GI Bill passed the Senate by a vote of 75-22 as the Senate debated a supplemental spending bill for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Klobuchar noted that current veterans’ education benefits have not kept pace with the soaring cost of college tuition, leaving many veterans unable to complete their educations once they come home. In addition, the current GI Bill fails to give National Guard and Reserve members benefits that are comparable to benefits received by active duty soldiers, even though they often serve in similarly dangerous and demanding roles.

The 21st Century GI Bill, authored by Senators Jim Webb (D-VA) and Chuck Hagel (R-NE), would provide enhanced tuition benefits so that any veteran who serves at least three months on active duty will receive benefits to cover the costs of up to 36 months of higher education, depending on their length of service. It would also ensure that Guard and Reserve members receive education benefits comparable to those granted to active duty soldiers.

The 21st Century GI bill continues Klobuchar’s work to ensure National Guard members receive their education benefits.  Last year, Klobuchar introduced the “National Guard and Reserve Education Benefit Fairness Act” to provide educational benefits to members of the Selected Reserve based on the length of their actual Active Duty service, not the service date printed on their orders.  The bill was a response to the case of the Minnesota National Guard members of the 1/34th Brigade Combat Team, the “Red Bulls,” in which about half of the soldiers returning from a 16-month deployment in Iraq were denied full educational benefit packages.  Recently,  Klobuchar introduced the “Vets to Paramedics Transition Act,” to encourage returning veterans with medical training to pursue further education as paramedics by giving them credit for their previous work.

“There is no better investment we can make in the future of our veterans than providing them the chance to continue their education,’’ Klobuchar said. “Our soldiers have served their country with courage and distinction, and we can repay them by helping put them on the path to opportunity and success.’’
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