United States House of Representatives Passes Legislation Introduced by Rep. Mark Takano

Washington DC – Earlier today, the United States House of Representatives passed the GI Bill Tuition Fairness Act (H.R. 357), a bipartisan piece of legislation that would improve veterans benefits with regards to education, vocational rehabilitation, and job training.

 

The GI Bill Tuition Fairness Act includes the VetSuccess Enhancement Act (H.R. 844) and the Work Study for Student Veterans Act (H.R. 1453), both of which were originally introduced by Rep. Mark Takano (D-Riverside).

 

Upon its passage, Takano said, “Too often our veterans have difficulty reintegrating back in civilian life upon their return and Congress should be doing all that it can to make things easier for our heroes. This piece of legislation does just that by extending the VA's work study program to 2018, increasing the timeframe for veterans to use their vocational rehabilitation benefits from 12 to 17 years, and by giving all veterans in-state tuition rates when they attend a school eligible for GI Bill education benefits. I'm proud that both sides of the aisle came together for this fix and I look forward to more bipartisan cooperation as we work to improve our veterans' lives.”

 

The VetSuccess Enhancement Act increases veterans’ access to critical vocation and educational services by extending the eligibility period from 12 to 17 years. The VetSuccess program provides disabled veterans with employment, vocational, and educational services. These services include vocational counseling, job-seeking skills and resume development, job training and apprenticeships, and financial assistance with post-secondary training at college, vocational, technical, or business school.

 

The Work Study for Student Veterans Act extends the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Student Work-Study Allowance Program, which expired on June 30th, until 2018. Through this program, qualifying veteran students in college degree programs or vocational or professional programs are paid to work on campus, at VA facilities, or at other veteran-centered organizations to assist transitioning veterans and help them navigate the complex VA system.

 

Takano was also the Democratic lead of the portion of the bill that would require that if a servicemember plans to use their education benefits following discharge they would be required to take the education track as part of the mandatory portion of TAP. This training would include information about the education benefits available to servicemembers, testing for academic readiness, information about financing the education or training, and training on matching a school to the servicemembers’ interests.

 

Takano also co-sponsored the portion of the bill that would require that as a condition of approval for GI Bill education benefits, anypublic institution in a state must give all veterans in-state tuition rates.