STEARNS JOINS HOUSE VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE IN APPROVING THE VETERANS EDUCATION IMPROVEMENT ACT

Washington, Apr 30, 2008 - “We have a responsibility to help the men and women leaving the armed services in transitioning into their civilian lives,” said Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Ocala), a senior member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee. “This legislation provides the veterans of today with the resources to begin or to continue their education on leaving the military. This measure is a vital step in updating the GI Bill to meet the needs of the 21st century veterans.’

Stearns joined the House Veterans Affairs Committee today in approving H.R. 5684, the Veterans Education Improvement Act. This bill addresses shortfalls in the current GI Bill by substantially increasing the amount of basic education assistance for veterans from $800 to up to $1,450, the average cost of the tuition at a four-year public university; provides a monthly cost of living stipend; allows servicemembers to enroll anytime, even while on active duty; permits servicemembers to repay student loans; and extends the time limit for using the education benefits from 10 to 15 years.

Added Stearns, “H.R. 5684 was developed with input from veteran service organization, academic experts, and government officials with the goal of making educational benefits more accessible and more generous for our veterans.”

Stearns also joined the Committee in approving additional bills for veterans: H.R. 5856, authorizing major VA medical facility projects, including $136.7 million for the construction of a new patient tower at the Gainesville VA hospital; H.R. 3819, to require the VA Secretary to reimburse veterans receiving emergency treatment in non-VA facilities; and H.R. 5892, directing the VA Secretary to modernize the disabilities benefits claims processing system to ensure timely delivery of compensation.