Collins Votes for GI Bill Tuition Fairness Act

Press Release

Congressman Doug Collins (GA-09) voted tonight for H.R. 357, the G.I. Bill Tuition Fairness Act of 2013. H.R. 357 opens more educational opportunities for veterans and saves taxpayer dollars by requiring public universities to charge in-state tuition for veterans paying for their education through the G.I. Bill, regardless of the veteran's state of residency.

Additionally, H.R. 357 addresses the recent unacceptable backlog in casework at the Veterans' Administration by prohibiting the issue of bonuses for top VA executives.

Congressman Collins said, "Those who can go to school on the G.I. Bill have dropped everything to answer the call of duty. Cutting through the question of residency as they explore the next step in their remarkable careers is the simplest way to let them exercise some of the freedom they fought to protect. Better yet, this bill saves taxpayer dollars to protect this incredible program for generations of heroes to come."

Collins continued, "I'm also glad this legislation addresses the backlog in cases at the VA. My district staff and I have worked hard over the last year to help constituents with VA claims get the service they deserve. Making sure bonuses aren't handed out to those who have stood by while veterans and their families face uncertainty is truly the least we can do. H.R. 357 encompasses both opportunity and accountability, and it is certainly worthy of the bipartisan support it got tonight."

H.R. 357 passed the House of Representatives with a bipartisan vote of 390-0.

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