[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 35 (Friday, March 5, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S2369]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. DeWINE (for himself and Mr. Voinovich):
  S. 555. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize 
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to continue payment of monthly 
educational assistance benefits to veterans enrolled at educational 
institutions during periods between terms if the interval between such 
periods does not exceed eight weeks; to the Committee on Veterans 
Affairs.


                        VETERANS' EDUCATION BILL

  Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Veterans' 
Education Benefits Equity Act. A similar bill has already been 
introduced in the House of Representatives by my distinguished Ohio 
colleague, Congressman Ney.
  This legislation would fix an unintended oversight in veterans' 
educational benefits. Currently, the law stipulates that qualified 
veterans can receive their monthly educational assistance benefits when 
they are enrolled at educational institutions during periods between 
terms, if the period does not exceed 4 weeks. This time period was 
established to allow enrolled veterans to continue to receive their 
benefits during the December/January holidays. The problem with the 
current time period is that it only covers veterans enrolled at 
educational institutions on the semester system. Obviously, many 
educational institutions work on the quarter system, which can have a 
vacation period of eight weeks between the first and second quarters 
during the winter holiday season. Consequently, many veterans unfairly 
lose their benefits during this period because of the institution's 
course structures.
  It is my understanding that some educational institutions which have 
a sizable veteran enrollment frequently create a one credit hour course 
on military history or a similar topic specifically geared towards 
veterans in order for them to remain enrolled and eligible for their 
educational benefits. Consequently, the cost of extending the current 
eligibility period to eight weeks would have a minimal, if not 
negligible, cost.
  The Department of Veterans' Administration has recognized the need to 
correct this oversight and assisted in the drafting of this legislation 
and fully supports this bill.
  I urge my colleagues to support this common sense fix and allow all 
veterans to received the uninterrupted educational assistance they 
earned. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the 
Veterans' Education Benefits Equity Act be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                 S. 555

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans Education Benefits 
     Equity Act of 1999''.

     SEC. 2. REVISION OF EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE INTERVAL PAYMENT 
                   REQUIREMENTS.

       (a) In General.--Clause (C) of the third sentence of 
     section 3680(a) of title 38, United States Code, is amended 
     to read as follows:
       ``(C) during periods between school terms where the 
     educational institution certifies the enrollment of the 
     eligible veteran or eligible person on an individual term 
     basis if (i) the period between such terms does not exceed 
     eight weeks, and (ii) both the term preceding and the term 
     following the period are not shorter in length than the 
     period.''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) 
     shall apply with respect to payments of educational 
     assistance under title 38, United States Code, for months 
     beginning on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.
                                 ______