Montgomery Gi Bill Selected Reserves Tuition Fairness Act of 2024

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my support for H.R. 7323, the Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserves Tuition Fairness Act of 2024.

This bill mandates that the Department of Veterans Affairs deny courses that do not charge in-State tuition rates to veterans using certain educational assistance under Title X.

Now, VA already has the authority to disapprove courses at higher education institutions that do not offer in-State tuition rates for other GI Bill beneficiaries.

Mandating in-State tuition rates is a good policy. It ensures only schools who prioritize quality education at a fair price participate in the programs, it preserves GI Bill benefits for student veterans, and it makes the entire GI Bill program more solvent and sustainable so that the GI Bill stays available for veterans for generations to come.

It is also crucial to ensure that selected reservists receive the same benefits as their Active-Duty counterparts by ensuring that in- State tuition is granted, regardless of their residency.

This bill will expand educational opportunities by providing them with more affordable education options. Their dedication to serving our country deserves nothing less.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I mention that I support this bill because it is a step forward, but we do have a more comprehensive solution for reservists.

It is called the GI Parity Bill. It would provide parity to our reservists and our guardsmen to make sure that the time they put in for training counts for their qualification for GI Bill benefits.

I am disappointed that that bill has not been brought to the floor because I think that is the real solution to making sure that our guardsmen and our reservists are treated fairly.

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Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I am prepared to close.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to ask all my colleagues to join me in passing H.R. 7323, the Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserves Tuition Fairness Act of 2024, as amended, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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