Repayment of Members of the Armed Forces for Contributions Toward Post- Educational Assistance
Floor Speech
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 502, as amended, legislation to ensure veterans can recoup the money they paid into the Montgomery GI Bill.
Under current law, veterans who do not fully access their Montgomery GI Bill can lose out on the payments they made into the program, in some cases totaling up to $1,200.
The Montgomery GI Bill is in the process of being phased out for the more generous Forever GI Bill. Many veterans may not remember the $1,200 they paid into the program in their early days of service or even be aware that they are entitled to a refund of the unused funds. The process to reclaim that $1,200 can be difficult, and there are times when the veteran can simply lose out on the money because they waited too long.
This legislation eliminates that cumbersome process by making it so that the veteran is repaid, no questions asked.
The bill is fully offset, and it is supported by the veterans service organizations community, including by Student Veterans of America.
I thank Representative Banks for his work on this legislation and the VSO community for bringing this issue to our committee. We were able to pass this legislation under the House last fall, but unfortunately, the Senate was unable to consider it. That is why I am thankful we can consider this bill early in 2023, giving our colleagues in the Senate plenty of time to complete it. No disrespect to the Senate, Mr. Speaker.
I urge the rest of my colleagues to support this legislation to ensure no veteran loses out on what is owed to them, and I certainly hope that Members of the House who aspire to be Senators will remember what it is like to be a House Member and make sure this never happens again.
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Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers.
Mr. Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues to join me to pass H.R. 502, as amended, and I yield back the balance of my time.
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