July 17, 2017

Ranking Member Walz Examines Bipartisan Legislation To Improve & Extend G.I. Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. --- Today, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Ranking Member Tim Walz (D-MN) released the following statement after the Committee met in open session to examine the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017, a bill that will improve and extend G.I. Bill benefits granted to veterans, their surviving spouses and dependents.

The hearing comes less than a week after Ranking Member Walz and Chairman Phil Roe (R-TN) introduced the bipartisan legislation, which was cosponsored by every Republican and Democratic Member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. Additionally, the legislation was applauded by Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee leaders Chairman Johnny Isakson (R-GA) and Ranking Member Jon Tester (D-MT). The bill also earned unanimous support from our nation’s veterans service organizations (VSOs).

“Once again, our Committee has proven to be one of the most productive and bipartisan committees in the whole U.S. Congress,” Rep. Walz said. “Thanks to the hard work of each of our Members, Democrat and Republican alike, as well as our nation’s well respected VSOs, we have so far been successful in our efforts to expand and extend one of the most significant pieces of legislation ever passed in the history of the United States Congress: the G.I. Bill.” 

“The Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017 will continue the legacy of the original G.I. Bill as it serves as the foundation upon which future generations of servicemembers returning from battle will build not just their educations but their entire civilian lives. This bipartisan legislation will improve the lives of future generations of veterans by enhancing existing benefits, correcting current gaps in eligibility, and providing new benefits to help our veterans in today’s economy without asking our troops or American taxpayers to pay more.”

“I want to thank Chairman Roe, each Member of the Committee, and our well-respected veterans service organizations (VSOs) for their help in crafting this legislation and for their commitment to our nation’s veterans and military families.”  

WITNESS LIST

 

Panel 1

 

The Honorable Kevin McCarthy

U.S. House of Representatives

23rd Congressional District; California

 

The Honorable Mark Takano

U.S. House of Representatives

41st Congressional District; California

 

The Honorable Gus Bilirakis

U.S. House of Representatives

12th Congressional District; Florida

 

The Honorable Scott Peters

U.S. House of Representatives

52nd Congressional District; California

 

The Honorable Mike Coffman

U.S. House of Representatives

6th Congressional District; Colorado

 

The Honorable Brad Wenstrup

U.S. House of Representatives

2nd Congressional District; Ohio

 

The Honorable John Rutherford

U.S. House of Representatives

4th Congressional District; Florida

 

The Honorable Jim Banks

U.S. House of Representatives

3rd Congressional District; Indiana

 

The Honorable Luke Messer

U.S. House of Representatives

6th Congressional District; Indiana

 

The Honorable Paul Cook

U.S. House of Representatives

8th Congressional District; California

 

The Honorable Raúl Labrador

U.S. House of Representatives

1st Congressional District; Idaho

 

Panel 2

 

Mr. Curtis L. Coy

Deputy Under Secretary for Economic Opportunity

Veterans Benefits Administration

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

 

Accompanied by:

 

Mr. James Ruhlman

Assistant Director for Policy and Procedures

Education Service

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

 

Mr. Patrick D. Murray

Associate Director

National Legislative Service

Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States

 

Mr. William Hubbard

Vice President of Government Affairs

Student Veterans of America

 

Mr. John Kamin

Assistant Director

Veteran Employment and Education

The American Legion

 

Ms. Ashlynne Haycock

Senior Coordinator

Education Support Services

Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors

 

Statements for the Record

 

The Honorable David McKinley

U.S. House of Representatives

1st Congressional District; West Virginia

The Honorable Markwayne Mullin

U.S. House of Representatives

2nd Congressional District; Oklahoma

 

The Honorable Tim Ryan

U.S. House of Representatives

13th Congressional District; Ohio

 

The Honorable Susan Brooks

U.S. House of Representatives

5th Congressional District; Indiana

 

Military Order of the Purple Heart

 

National Guard Association of the United States

 

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