Cantwell-Larsen Montgomery GI Bill for Life Act of 2007

I grew up a child of an officer in the Navy. I'm now married to a man who served 8 years in the Navy enlisted ranks. My grandfather served in the Army during WWII. My uncles served during Vietnam. I am proud of my family's service to our country. It is because of men and women like them, that we, and many others across the globe, enjoy our freedoms. I may not agree with the current "war," but I support wholeheartedly our troops, both active duty, and retired, and those who served and were discharged (honorably). I will defend their rights with my last breath because without them, I wouldn't have any rights at all.

The G.I. Bill was first created in 1944 to provide for higher education benefits, one year of unemployment compensation (the "52-20" clause) and low interest, zero down home loans for WW II veterans. The official name of the bill was The Servicemen's Readjustment Act. The bill was updated as time went on. The Veterans' Adjustment Act of 1952 (for Korean Conflict veterans) still provided for education (now paying the veterans instead of the colleges directly) but no longer offering the unemployment compensation. In 1966, The Veteran Readjustment Benefits Act extended the G.I. benefits to all veterans, of war and of peace. The Veterans Educational Assistance Program was instituted for the period December 1976 through 1987 and was replaced by the Montgomery G.I. Bill (MGIB) for service members who served after July 1, 1985.

Both of the latter two programs required the service member to make monetary contributions in order to benefit from the bill after they leave the service. Specifically, under the MGIB, currently in place for our service members today, active duty members contribute $100/month for 12 months to receive up to $1,075/month for 36 months of education benefits after they leave active duty. The MGIB limits the service members to using the GI bill for up to 10 years from the date of last discharge (with some exceptions for extensions). This caveat is one of those "use it or lose it" aspects that makes our veterans feel cheated.

It has been reported by the Department of Veteran Affairs that about "30% of eligible veterans are unable to use any of their education benefits and most eligible veterans are only able to access a portion of their GI Bill before the 10-year limit is reached."

Why are they unable to use those benefits in such a "lengthly" time period? Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) was quoted as saying, "When our service members leave the military, family obligations, work commitments and economic difficulties often get in the way." Think about veterans that you know. Think of them dealing with disabilities and illness (physical and mental) from their service. Think of them trying to re-adjust to civilian life after living for a year or more in a war zone. Think of them trying to "be normal" again, find a job, become part of their families again. Sometimes, 10 years really may not be enough. Also? Removing the time limit would enable veterans to "keep up with changes due to technology over the course of their lifetime, thus keeping them more employable (veteran and former Washington VFW commander Frosty Hulsey)."

Senator Cantwell has introduced S.1261 GI Bill for Life Act of 2007 that would eliminate this 10 year time limit on GI Benefits. Her co-sponsors are Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Tom Harkin (D-IA), Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) and Patty Murray (D-WA). As of 5/1/07, the bill remains in the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Over in the House, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, Representative Rick Larsen (D-WA ) introduced mirror legislation under H.R. 2247. His co-sponsors are Jo Ann Davis (VA), Bart Gordon (TN), Bart Stupak (MI), Peter DeFazio (OR) and Ed Pastor (AZ). This bill was referred to the House subcommittee on Military Personnel on 6/28/07.

So what do you think? Is 10 years enough? Or should these bills be passed into law? Give me your opinion.

Comments

[Sonia]

I would fully support extending the benefits of the GI Bill. The military service of our veterans is not a sacrifice that diminishes in importance after some arbitrary date.
They earned those GI Bill dollars, they deserve them when and if their lives allow them the opportunity to take advantage of furthering their education, whether or not that falls within the ten year time frame.

I too come from a family knee-deep in veterans and the first year hubby and I were married, his GI Bill paid our rent and a bag of groceries. We would have had a tough go without it and it wasn't a lot, but it made a difference to us and he took a source of pride in that he had earned that money himself and wasn't borrowing from his folks.

The GI Bill is a great thing but maybe it should change with the times.

[Heather]

I would totally support this bill. I come from a career military family, as does my husband (Army.) In my job, I see how Federal regulations clog things up on a regular basis. Removing the time limit would allow veterans to get the money they deserve to get much needed, marketable skills. I don't understand the need for a time restriction on it - they earned it, they should be able to use it whenever they need it.

[Shannon]

I would support it, whole heartedly. All of sometimes need time in life to figure out what we need, and those needs don't happen on some arbitrary time clock. I am constantly offended and dismayed by the compensations our veterans receive (or don't receive) for their service, so anything that works in their favor is good by my book.

[Shannon]

I would support it, whole heartedly. All of sometimes need time in life to figure out what we need, and those needs don't happen on some arbitrary time clock. I am constantly offended and dismayed by the compensations our veterans receive (or don't receive) for their service, so anything that works in their favor is good by my book.

[judy]

I am a female veteran and have been very excited about this bill. After finally taking the time to read it, however, I am amazed at the audacity of the phrase "for life." All this bill does is extend payment throug a semester you are in when benefits expire. It is outrageous that the public is being misled. I did realize one thing, this is an election year. I pray that all will read this bill and pass the word on to everyone they know. The veteran vote is a very large number and this farce should not garner a single vote.
I AM OUTRAGED!

[Alan Joseph]

I would fully support this Bill, and the team of Senators who put it together ...were it not for the bait and switch tactic Sen Cantwell is taking with the voting populace. I can't believe the audacity that Sen Cantwell has to make the comments she is making saying that Veterans should have the opportunity to use their benefits over time as technology changes when this Bill only extends benefits for a single semester, and ONLY IF a veteran is enrolled while their benefits are set to expire. 3 Months ... Hardly a lifetime.

I'm glad that Shannon took the time to read the Bill ... I too am a veteran. My GI Bill benefits expire at the end of this month, and though 10 years seems like a long time, since I left the service, I've married, raised two children moved more times that I can count to ensure that I stayed employed and supported my family, and I can't believe that 10 years has come and gone as fast as it has. I've only been able to use about 5% of my benefits, even though I've applied for technical programs and been denied, as they were not approved for use in my state (Hawaii), or for use overseas, as I currently reside in Japan (though approved in other states). Also, the VA will not approve any non-degree programs for use outside of the US, and I have lived outside the US, all the while supporting the US Military as a contractor, for 7 of the last 10 years.

Oh ... don't forget that this identical bill was also proposed in 2005, and it never made it out of committee to be voted on. Please educate anyone you can on the total lack of integrity behind Sen Cantwell's campaign. I TOO AM OUTRAGED by this blatant lack of respect for veterans.

I have invested well over $30,000 of my own money, and taken out student loans to achieve the CCIE and CISSP certifications, and now that the VA is FINALLY starting to accept such technical programs for the GI Bill, my benefits expire at the end of this month. So of course I was interested in this bill. Now I'm just disgusted with the lack of integrity of our politicians.

[Thomas Malcolm]

I would fully support this bill if the GI Bill benefits can be structured so that they can be used at anytime after a veteran leaves active duty. A ten year limit is not always enough time. There is a readjustment time after leaving active duty. There are many reasons why a veteran may not be able to use the benefits in ten years. I am in a situation where my benefits have run out. I am past the ten year mark and will never see the GI Bill fund I earned in the Army. I hope this bill will pass so that other veterans who wait more than ten years to go to school can still access their GI Bill fund. I earned it. I should be able to use it at any time in my life. Why only ten years to use the GI Bill?

[C. Davis]

Ten years does go by faster than you could imagine and benefits were not as accomodating in the past. Extending this deserved benefit for lifetime use can only reward brave veterans and improve America in the long run. Some soldiers will still never be able to use the GI Bill, so please extend it to those who want to better themselves and forego unnecessary time restrictions. God Bless America!!!

[david jinzo]

I need this bill to pass. Great bill.