Colonel John M. McHugh Tuition Fairness for Survivors Act of 2021

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 1095, the Colonel John M. McHugh Tuition Fairness for Survivors Act of 2021. This bill would expand the in-State tuition requirements to dependents and survivors of eligible veterans through the Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance, or the DEA program.

The DEA program provides $1,224 a month in tax-free benefits directly to the eligible participants to help cover the costs of higher education or training.

Dependents are eligible for this program if the veteran died while on Active Duty, is a former prisoner of war, or has a permanent and total service-connected disability rating or dies from a service-connected disability.

By expanding the in-State tuition requirements, we will make it easier for DEA participants to complete their studies without additional debt.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that the bill is named in honor of Colonel John McHugh. Colonel McHugh was killed in action on May 18, 2010, by a suicide bomber in Afghanistan after serving his country for 24 years. This bill honors his sacrifice.

I thank Senator Moran, ranking member of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, as well as Congressman Moore, for their hard work in crafting this commonsense piece of legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support S. 1095, and I reserve the balance of my time.
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Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I encourage all of my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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