Gi Bill Planning Act of 2019

Floor Speech

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Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his recognition.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of H.R. 4162. But I would like to rise on behalf of not only the veterans, but also, the day before Veterans Day was the 244th birthday of the United States Marine Corps.

The point is, all of the members of the military who serve and have served, no matter what branch of service, we are proudly serving in the culture that we chose.

That would be, in my case, the Marine Corps. And we are honored that so many of our fellow veterans from the other services have chosen to join us in the celebration of service to our country. So it is an honor to be here, but also it is more of an honor to represent the veterans on the Veterans' Affairs Committee, so ably led by Chairman Takano and Ranking Member Roe.

As far as H.R. 4162, as amended, the GI Bill Planning Act of 2019, the support we have gotten across the committee on this is nothing short of spectacular and bipartisan. I would like to thank Congresswoman Kathleen Rice for her support in making this happen.

As Ranking Member Roe mentioned, during the first 2 weeks of boot camp, recruits are really not focused on making any big decisions, other than staying with the program and making sure that they get through boot camp. So they are not only asked to make a tough decision. They are actually required to make a very consequential decision at a time of extreme fatigue.

They must decide whether to opt out of their Montgomery GI Bill benefit or pay $1,200 to keep their eligibility for down the road later on when they are eligible to use it as a veteran.

Seventy percent of these enlistees are choosing to pay this relatively large expense, but few will ever use the Montgomery GI Bill. Rather, 97 percent of veterans today are choosing the newer Post-9/11 GI Bill, which usually amounts to a higher monetary benefit.

My legislation, the GI Bill Planning Act, would delay this decision to no earlier than 6 months after these young men and women have completed boot camp and entered service, instead of that first 2 weeks, again, very critical in their time for success in boot camp.

Additionally, this bill would responsibly end new enlistee enrollments in the outdated Montgomery GI Bill by October 2029. While the Montgomery GI Bill has helped millions of veterans since 1984, it is time to simplify benefits and sunset this bill.

Mr. Speaker, not only can this legislation save enlistees money, but it can also ensure that they are more informed in their educational benefits decisions. It is important that these motivated young men and women know that we in Congress have their backs and are thinking of them as they plan their bright futures in service to our great Nation.

I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4162, as amended.

Mr. DAVID P. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I, too, wish the Marine Corps a happy birthday, but as usual, they are behind the Army. Their birthday is later than the U.S. Army which is older than the Marine Corps.

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