Washington, D.C. —Today Reps. David B. McKinley (R-WV) and Dina Titus (D-NV) re-introduced bipartisan legislation that will help veterans get the education they need to thrive in the modern workforce. H.R. 748, the GI Bill STEM Extension Act, will give students utilizing GI Bill benefits more flexibility to pursue degrees in science, technology, engineering, math and health fields.

“The transition from war zone to campus is not always an easy one,” said McKinley. “We owe it to men and women who served to do all we can to help them return to civilian life and pursue their dreams.”

“As a country, we have a responsibility to help our servicemen and women when they leave the military and return home to civilian life,” said Titus, a Member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. “This legislation honors that commitment by providing resources to help veterans pursue higher education and gain the skills and training they need to succeed in STEM careers.”

The idea for the bill came from meetings McKinley had with student veterans at West Virginia University, Fairmont State, and Potomac State. Veterans at these meetings discussed the difficulty in completing their degree in the 36 months allotted by the GI Bill.

This proposal gives students who utilize the Post-9/11 GI Bill the option to apply for an extra nine months of benefits if they pursue a degree in one of the STEM fields.

“Given the appropriate resources, veterans possess the talent and experience to make a huge, positive impact in America’s communities and economy,” said D. Wayne Robinson, President of Student Veterans of America. “We must do everything we can to help veterans capitalize on their experience and pursue careers in advanced fields like STEM.”

“This common sense plan will give those who have sacrificed for our freedom the tools to be successful in the 21^st Century economy,” added McKinley. “This will not only benefit veterans, but will make America’s economy more competitive as well.”