Amending Title United States Code, to Ensure That the Secretary of Veterans Affairs Repays Members of the Armed Forces for Certain Contributions Made By Such Members Towards Post-9/11 Educational Assistance

Floor Speech

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Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5918, as amended. This bill would close a financial loophole affecting many servicemembers.

Last Congress, I was proud to support General Bergman's efforts to responsibly sunset the Montgomery GI Bill, and today I am pleased to support Congressman Banks' bill to ensure that those servicemembers who paid into the program are repaid.

Under current law, servicemembers who switch from Montgomery to the Post-9/11 GI Bill would lose about $1,200 they paid into the program, if they exhausted their benefits while still on Active Duty. Veterans who exhaust their benefits already receive the $1,200 back. This bill would fix this loophole and treat servicemembers and veterans equally.

Servicemembers earned the benefits and should not be shortchanged just because they are still on Active Duty. This bill would include a short-term extension of the VA home loan funding fees to fully offset the cost of this bill.

Madam Speaker, I thank the American Legion for bringing this problem to our attention, and I also thank Congressman Banks for introducing this important bill.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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