CONGRESSMAN SALAZAR ANNOUCES NEW GI BILL FOR THE 21st  CENTURY

New GI Bill Would Benefit Multiple Generations of Veterans, Military Retirees

WASHINGTON, DC – As part of his ongoing effort to make sure that our nation keeps its promise to veterans and military retirees, Congressman John T. Salazar (CO-3) was joined today by leading veterans service organizations in announcing the new “GI Bill of Rights for the 21st Century”, a package of benefits that would provide support for all veterans, including those currently serving overseas.

“This is a matter of priorities – providing benefits for those who have served in the military should be at the top of our list,” said Salazar. “The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are creating a new generation of veterans and it is time for a new GI Bill of rights.”

The GI Bill of Rights for the 21st Century will:
• improve veterans’ health care by increasing resources, bolstering mental health care for returning soldiers, and blocking increases in prescription drug co-payments and enrollment fees for veterans;
• expand upon the original GI bill by providing for the full cost for college or job training for those serving four years of active duty;
• repeal the Disabled Veterans Tax and end the Military Families Tax; and
• expand TRICARE, improve educational benefits, and protect the income of National Guardsmen and Reservists

“This bill recognizes that our National Guardsmen and Reservists are carrying an exceptional burden in Iraq and Afghanistan,” said Salazar. “The new GI Bill will make sure that our troops have the opportunity to lead successful lives when they return home.”

The new GI Bill of Rights for the 21st Century has been endorsed by a number of veterans’ and military organizations, including the American Legion and the Vietnam Veterans of America. Several of the bills provisions already exist as bipartisan measures initiated by Republicans.

“I look forward to working my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass this legislation,” said Salazar. “The fact that veterans in rural Colorado have to travel five hours to see a doctor tells me that we’re not doing enough for our veterans. We owe it to our men and women in uniform to come together and pass this legislation now.”

Salazar is a veteran, serving in the Army from 1973 – 1975. His father was a World War II veteran and his son Esteban has served two tours of duty in the Colorado National Guard.