[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 65 (Tuesday, May 23, 2000)]
[House]
[Pages H3548-H3558]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
VETERANS AND DEPENDENTS MILLENNIUM EDUCATION ACT
Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
Senate bill (S. 1402) to amend title 38, United States Code, to enhance
programs providing education benefits for veterans, and for other
purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read as follows:
S. 1402
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the
following:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS; REFERENCES TO
TITLE 38, UNITED STATES CODE.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans
and Dependents Millennium Education Act''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act
is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents; references to title 38, United
States Code.
Sec. 2. Increase in rates of basic educational assistance under
Montgomery GI Bill.
Sec. 3. Additional opportunity for certain VEAP participants to enroll
in basic educational assistance under Montgomery GI Bill.
Sec. 4. Increase in rates of survivors and dependents educational
assistance.
Sec. 5. Adjusted effective date for award of survivors' and dependents'
educational assistance.
Sec. 6. Revision of educational assistance interval payment
requirements.
Sec. 7. Availability of education benefits for payment for licensing or
certification tests.
Sec. 8. Extension of certain temporary authorities.
Sec. 9. Codification of recurring provisions in annual Department of
Veterans Affairs appropriations Acts.
Sec. 10. Preservation of certain reporting requirements.
(c) References to Title 38, United States Code.--Except as
otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this Act an
amendment
[[Page H3549]]
or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal
of, a section or other provision, the reference shall be
considered to be made to a section or other provision of
title 38, United States Code.
SEC. 2. INCREASE IN RATES OF BASIC EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE
UNDER MONTGOMERY GI BILL.
(a) Active Duty Educational Assistance.--(1) Section 3015
is amended--
(A) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ``$528'' and
inserting ``$720''; and
(B) in subsection (b)(1), by striking ``$429'' and
inserting ``$585''.
(2) The amendments made by paragraph (1) shall take effect
on October 1, 2002, and shall apply with respect to
educational assistance allowances paid for months after
September 2002.
(3) In the case of an educational assistance allowance paid
for a month after September 2000, and before October 2002
under section 3015 of such title--
(A) subsection (a)(1) of such section shall be applied by
substituting ``$600'' for ``$528''; and
(B) subsection (b)(1) of such section shall be applied by
substituting ``$487'' for ``$429''.
(b) CPI Adjustment.--No adjustment in rates of educational
assistance shall be made under section 3015(g) of title 38,
United States Code, for fiscal years 2001 and 2003.
SEC. 3. ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITY FOR CERTAIN VEAP PARTICIPANTS
TO ENROLL IN BASIC EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE UNDER
MONTGOMERY GI BILL.
(a) Special Enrollment Period.--Section 3018C is amended by
adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(e)(1) A qualified individual (described in paragraph
(2)) may make an irrevocable election under this subsection,
during the one-year period beginning on the date of the
enactment of this subsection, to become entitled to basic
educational assistance under this chapter. Such an election
shall be made in the same manner as elections made under
subsection (a)(5).
``(2) A qualified individual referred to in paragraph (1)
is an individual who meets the following requirements:
``(A) The individual was a participant in the educational
benefits program under chapter 32 of this title on or before
October 9, 1996.
``(B) The individual has continuously served on active duty
since October 9, 1996 (excluding the periods referred to in
section 3202(1)(C) of this title), through at least April, 1,
2000.
``(C) The individual meets the requirements of subsection
(a)(3).
``(D) The individual is discharged or released from active
duty with an honorable discharge.
``(3)(A) Subject to succeeding provisions of this
paragraph, with respect to a qualified individual who makes
an election under paragraph (1) to become entitled to basic
education assistance under this chapter--
``(i) the basic pay of the qualified individual shall be
reduced (in a manner determined by the Secretary concerned)
until the total amount by which such basic pay is reduced is
$2,700; and
``(ii) to the extent that basic pay is not so reduced
before the qualified individual's discharge or release from
active duty as specified in subsection (a)(4), at the
election of the qualified individual--
``(I) the Secretary concerned shall collect from the
qualified individual, or
``(II) the Secretary concerned shall reduce the retired or
retainer pay of the qualified individual by,
an amount equal to the difference between $2,700 and the
total amount of reductions under clause (i), which shall be
paid into the Treasury of the United States as miscellaneous
receipts.
``(B)(i) The Secretary concerned shall provide for an 18-
month period, beginning on the date the qualified individual
makes an election under paragraph (1), for the qualified
individual to pay that Secretary the amount due under
subparagraph (A).
``(ii) Nothing in clause (i) shall be construed as
modifying the period of eligibility for and entitlement to
basic education assistance under this chapter applicable
under section 3031 of this title.
``(C) The provisions of subsection (c) shall apply to
individuals making elections under this subsection in the
same manner as they applied to individuals making elections
under subsection (a)(5).
``(4) With respect to qualified individuals referred to in
paragraph (3)(A)(ii), no amount of educational assistance
allowance under this chapter shall be paid to the qualified
individual until the earlier of the date on which--
``(A) the Secretary concerned collects the applicable
amount under subparagraph (I) of such paragraph, or
``(B) the retired or retainer pay of the qualified
individual is first reduced under subparagraph (II) of such
paragraph.
``(5) The Secretary, in conjunction with the Secretary of
Defense, shall provide for notice to participants in the
educational benefits program under chapter 32 of this title
of the opportunity under this section to elect to become
entitled to basic educational assistance under this
chapter.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 3018C(b) is amended by
striking ``subsection (a)'' and inserting ``subsection (a) or
(e)''.
SEC. 4. INCREASE IN RATES OF SURVIVORS AND DEPENDENTS
EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE.
(a) Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance.--(1)
Section 3532 is amended--
(A) in subsection (a)(1)--
(i) by striking ``$485'' and inserting ``$720'';
(ii) by striking ``$365'' and inserting ``$540''; and
(iii) by striking ``$242'' and inserting ``$360'';
(B) in subsection (a)(2), by striking ``$485'' and
inserting ``$720'';
(C) in subsection (b), by striking ``$485'' and inserting
``$720''; and
(D) in subsection (c)(2)--
(i) by striking ``$392'' and inserting ``$582'';
(ii) by striking ``$294'' and inserting ``$436''; and
(iii) by striking ``$196'' and inserting ``$291''.
(2) The amendments made by paragraph (1) shall take effect
on October 1, 2002, and shall apply with respect to
educational assistance allowances paid for months after
September 2002.
(3) In the case of an educational assistance allowance paid
for a month after September 2000 and before October 2002
under section 3532 of such title--
(A) subsection (a)(1) of such section shall be applied by
substituting--
(i) ``$600'' for ``$485'';
(ii) ``$450'' for ``$365''; and
(iii) ``$300'' for ``$242'';
(B) subsection (a)(2) of such section shall be applied by
substituting ``$600'' for ``$485'';
(C) subsection (b) of such section shall be applied by
substituting ``$600'' for ``$485''; and
(D) subsection (c)(2) of such section shall be applied by
substituting--
(i) ``$485'' for ``$392'';
(ii) ``$364'' for ``$294''; and
(iii) ``$242'' for ``$196''.
(b) Correspondence Course.--(1) Section 3534(b) is amended
by striking ``$485'' and inserting ``$720''.
(2) The amendment made by paragraph (1) shall take effect
on October 1, 2002, and shall apply with respect to
educational assistance allowances paid under section 3534(b)
of title 38, United States Code, for months after September
2002.
(3) In the case of an educational assistance allowance paid
for a month after September 2000 and before October 2002
under section 3534 of such title, subsection (b) of such
section shall be applied by substituting ``$600'' for
``$485''.
(c) Special Restorative Training.--(1) Section 3542(a) is
amended--
(A) by striking ``$485'' and inserting ``$720'';
(B) by striking ``$152'' each place it appears and
inserting ``$225''; and
(C) by striking ``$16.16'' and inserting ``$24''.
(2) The amendments made by paragraph (1) shall take effect
on October 1, 2002, and shall apply with respect to
educational assistance allowances paid under section 3542(a)
of title 38, United States Code, for months after September
2002.
(3) In the case of an educational assistance allowance paid
for a month after September 2000 and before October 2002
under section 3542 of such title, subsection (a) of such
section shall be applied by substituting--
(A) ``$600'' for ``$485'';
(B) ``$188'' for ``$152'' each place it appears; and
(C) ``$20'' for ``$16.16''.
(d) Apprenticeship Training.--(1) Section 3687(b)(2) is
amended--
(A) by striking ``$353'' and inserting ``$524'';
(B) by striking ``$264'' and inserting ``$392'';
(C) by striking ``$175'' and inserting ``$260''; and
(D) by striking ``$88'' and inserting ``$131''.
(2) The amendments made by paragraph (1) shall take effect
on October 1, 2002, and shall apply with respect to
educational assistance allowances paid under section
3687(b)(2) of title 38, United States Code, for months after
September 2002.
(3) In the case of an educational assistance allowance paid
for a month after September 2000 and before October 2002
under section 3687 of such title, subsection (b)(2) of such
section shall be applied by substituting--
(A) ``$437'' for ``$353'';
(B) ``$327'' for ``$264'';
(C) ``$216'' for ``$175''; and
(D) ``$109'' for ``$88''.
(e) Provision for Annual Adjustments to Amounts of
Assistance.--
(1) Chapter 35.--(A) Subchapter VI of chapter 35 is amended
by adding at the end the following new section:
``Sec. 3564. Annual adjustment of amounts of educational
assistance
``With respect to any fiscal year, the Secretary shall
provide a percentage increase (rounded to the nearest dollar)
in the rates payable under sections 3532, 3534(b), and
3542(a) of this title equal to the percentage by which--
``(1) the Consumer Price Index (all items, United States
city average) for the 12-month period ending on the June 30
preceding the beginning of the fiscal year for which the
increase is made, exceeds
``(2) such Consumer Price Index for the 12-month period
preceding the 12-month period described in paragraph (1).''.
(B) The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 35 is
amended by inserting after the item relating to section 3563
the following new item:
``3564. Annual adjustment of amounts of educational assistance.''.
(2) Chapter 36.--Section 3687 is amended by adding at the
end the following new subsection:
[[Page H3550]]
``(d) With respect to any fiscal year, the Secretary shall
provide a percentage increase (rounded to the nearest dollar)
in the rates payable under subsection (b)(2) equal to the
percentage by which--
``(1) the Consumer Price Index (all items, United States
city average) for the 12-month period ending on the June 30
preceding the beginning of the fiscal year for which the
increase is made, exceeds
``(2) such Consumer Price Index for the 12-month period
preceding the 12-month period described in paragraph (1).''.
(3) Effective date.--The amendments made by this subsection
shall apply with respect to fiscal year 2002 and each fiscal
year beginning on or after October 1, 2003.
SEC. 5. ADJUSTED EFFECTIVE DATE FOR AWARD OF SURVIVORS' AND
DEPENDENTS' EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE.
(a) In General.--Section 5113 is amended--
(1) by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection (c);
(2) in subsection (a), by striking ``subsection (b) of this
section'' and inserting ``subsections (b) and (c)''; and
(3) by inserting after subsection (a) the following new
subsection:
``(b)(1) When determining the effective date of an award of
survivors' and dependents' educational assistance under
chapter 35 of this title for an individual described in
paragraph (2) based on an original claim, the Secretary shall
consider the individual's application (under section 3513 of
this title) as having been filed on the effective date from
which the Secretary, by rating decision, determines that the
individual is entitled to such educational assistance (such
entitlement being based on the total service-connected
disability evaluated as permanent in nature, or the service-
connected death, of the spouse or parent from whom the
individual's eligibility is derived) if that date is more
than one year before the date such rating decision is made.
``(2) An individual referred to in paragraph (1) is a
person who is eligible for educational assistance under
chapter 35 of this title by reason of subparagraph (A)(i),
(A)(ii), (B), or (D) of section 3501(a)(1) of this title
who--
``(A) submits to the Secretary an original application
under such section 3513 for such educational assistance
within one year of the date that the Secretary issues the
rating decision referred to in paragraph (1);
``(B) claims such educational assistance for an approved
program of education for months preceding the one-year period
ending on the date on which the individual's application
under such section was received by the Secretary; and
``(C) would have been entitled to such educational
assistance for such course pursuit for such months, without
regard to this subsection, if the individual had submitted
such an application on the effective date from which the
Secretary determined the individual was eligible for such
educational assistance.''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a)
shall apply to applications first made under section 3513 of
title 38, United States Code, that--
(1) are received on or after the date of the enactment of
this Act, or
(2) on the date of the enactment of this Act, are pending
(A) with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs or (B) exhaustion
of available administrative and judicial remedies.
SEC. 6. REVISION OF EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE INTERVAL PAYMENT
REQUIREMENTS.
(a) In General.--Subclause (C) of the third sentence of
section 3680(a) 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 terms preceding and 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.
SEC. 7. AVAILABILITY OF EDUCATION BENEFITS FOR PAYMENT FOR
LICENSING OR CERTIFICATION TESTS.
(a) In General.--Sections 3452(b) and 3501(a)(5) are each
amended by adding at the end the following new sentence:
``Such term also includes licensing or certification tests,
the successful completion of which demonstrates an
individual's possession of the knowledge or skill required to
enter into, maintain, or advance in employment in a
predetermined and identified vocation or profession, provided
such tests and the licensing or credentialing organizations
or entities that offer such tests are approved by the
Secretary in accordance with section 3689 of this title.''.
(b) Amount of Payment.--
(1) Chapter 30.--Section 3032 is amended by adding at the
end the following new subsection:
``(g) Payment Amount for Licensing or Certification Test.--
(1) Subject to paragraph (3), the amount of educational
assistance payable under this chapter for a licensing or
certification test described in section 3452(b) of this title
is the lesser of $2,000 or the fee charged for the test.
``(2) The number of months of entitlement charged in the
case of any individual for such licensing or certification
test is equal to the number (including any fraction)
determined by dividing the total amount of educational
assistance paid such individual for such test by the full-
time monthly institutional rate of educational assistance
which, except for paragraph (1) of this subsection, such
individual would otherwise be paid under subsection (a)(1),
(b)(1), (d), or (e)(1) of section 3015 of this title, as the
case may be.
``(3) In no event shall payment of educational assistance
under this subsection for such a test exceed the amount of
the individual's available entitlement under this chapter.''.
(2) Chapter 32.--Section 3232 is amended by adding at the
end the following new subsection:
``(c) Payment Amount for Licensing or Certification Test.--
(1) Subject to paragraph (3), the amount of educational
assistance payable under this chapter for a licensing or
certification test described in section 3452(b) of this title
is the lesser of $2,000 or the fee charged for the test.
``(2) The number of months of entitlement charged in the
case of any individual for such licensing or certification
test is equal to the number (including any fraction)
determined by dividing the total amount paid to such
individual for such test by the full-time monthly
institutional rate of the educational assistance allowance
which, except for paragraph (1) of this subsection, such
individual would otherwise be paid under this chapter.
``(3) In no event shall payment of educational assistance
under this subsection for such a test exceed the amount of
the individual's available entitlement under this chapter.''.
(3) Chapter 34.--Section 3482 is amended by adding at the
end the following new subsection:
``(h) Payment Amount for Licensing or Certification Test.--
(1) Subject to paragraph (3), the amount of educational
assistance payable under this chapter for a licensing or
certification test described in section 3452(b) of this title
is the lesser of $2,000 or the fee charged for the test.
``(2) The number of months of entitlement charged in the
case of any individual for such licensing or certification
test is equal to the number (including any fraction)
determined by dividing the total amount paid to such
individual for such test by the full-time monthly
institutional rate of the educational assistance allowance
which, except for paragraph (1) of this subsection, such
individual would otherwise be paid under this chapter.
``(3) In no event shall payment of educational assistance
under this subsection for such a test exceed the amount of
the individual's available entitlement under this chapter.''.
(4) Chapter 35.--Section 3532 is amended by adding at the
end the following new subsection:
``(f) Payment Amount for Licensing or Certification Test.--
(1) Subject to paragraph (3), the amount of educational
assistance payable under this chapter for a licensing or
certification test described in section 3452(b) of this title
is the lesser of $2,000 or the fee charged for the test.
``(2) The number of months of entitlement charged in the
case of any individual for such licensing or certification
test is equal to the number (including any fraction)
determined by dividing the total amount paid to such
individual for such test by the full-time monthly
institutional rate of the educational assistance allowance
which, except for paragraph (1) of this subsection, such
individual would otherwise be paid under this chapter.
``(3) In no event shall payment of educational assistance
under this subsection for such a test exceed the amount of
the individual's available entitlement under this chapter.''.
(c) Requirements for Licensing and Credentialing Testing.--
(1) In general.--Chapter 36 is amended by inserting after
section 3688 the following new section:
``Sec. 3689. Approval requirements for licensing and
certification testing
``(a) In General.--(1) No payment may be made for a
licensing or certification test described in section 3452(b)
or section 3501(a)(5) of this title unless the Secretary
determines that the requirements of this section have been
met with respect to such test and the organization or entity
offering the test. The requirements of approval for tests and
organizations or entities offering tests shall be in
accordance with the relevant provisions of this part and with
such regulations promulgated by the Secretary to carry out
this section.
``(2) To the extent that the Secretary determines
practicable, State approving agencies may, in lieu of the
Secretary, approve licensing and certification tests, and
organizations and entities offering such tests, under this
section.
``(b) Requirements for Tests.--(1) Subject to paragraph
(2), a licensing or certification test is approved for
purposes of this section only if--
``(A) the test is required under Federal, State, or local
law or regulation for an individual to enter into, maintain,
or advance in employment in a predetermined and identified
vocation or profession, or
``(B) the Secretary determines that the test is generally
accepted, in accordance with relevant government, business,
or industry standards, employment policies, or hiring
practices, as attesting to a level of
[[Page H3551]]
knowledge or skill required to qualify to enter into,
maintain, or advance in employment in a predetermined and
identified vocation or profession.
``(2) A licensing or certification test offered by a State,
or a political subdivision of the State, is deemed approved
by the Secretary.
``(c) Requirements for Organizations or Entities Offering
Tests.--(1) Each organization or entity that is not an entity
of the United States, a State, or political subdivision of a
State, that offers a licensing or certification test for
which payment may be made under this part, and that meets the
following requirements shall be approved by the Secretary to
offer such test:
``(A) The organization or entity certifies to the Secretary
that each licensing or certification test offered by the
organization or entity is required to obtain the license or
certificate required to enter into, maintain, or advance in
employment in a predetermined and identified vocation or
profession.
``(B) The organization or entity is licensed, chartered, or
incorporated in a State and has offered such tests for a
minimum of two years before the date on which the
organization or entity first submits to the Secretary an
application for approval under this section.
``(C) The organization or entity employs, or consults with,
individuals with expertise or substantial experience with
respect to all areas of knowledge or skill that are measured
by the test and that are required for the license of
certificate issued.
``(D) The organization or entity has no direct financial
interest in--
``(i) the outcome of a test, or
``(ii) organizations that provide the education or training
of candidates for licenses or certificates required for
vocations or professions.
``(E) The organization or entity maintains appropriate
records with respect to all candidates who take such a test
for a period prescribed by the Secretary, but in no case for
a period of less than three years.
``(F)(i) The organization or entity promptly issues notice
of the results of the test to the candidate for the license
or certificate.
``(ii) The organization or entity has in place a process to
review complaints submitted against the organization or
entity with respect to a test the organization or entity
offers or the process for obtaining a license or certificate
required for vocations or professions.
``(G) The organization or entity furnishes to the Secretary
such information with respect to a licensing or certification
test offered by the organization or entity as the Secretary
requires to determine whether payment may be made for the
test under this part, including personal identifying
information, fee payment, and test results. Such information
shall be furnished in the form prescribed by the Secretary.
``(H) The organization or entity furnishes to the Secretary
the following information:
``(i) A description of each licensing or certification test
offered by the organization or entity, including the purpose
of each test, the vocational, professional, governmental, and
other entities that recognize the test, and the license of
certificate issued upon successful completion of the test.
``(ii) The requirements to take such a test, including the
amount of the fee charged for the test and any prerequisite
education, training, skills, or other certification.
``(iii) The period for which the license or certificate
awarded upon successful completion of such a test is valid,
and the requirements for maintaining or renewing the license
or certificate.
``(I) Upon request of the Secretary, the organization or
entity furnishes such information to the Secretary that the
Secretary determines necessary to perform an assessment of--
``(i) the test conducted by the organization or entity as
compared to the level of knowledge or skills that a license
or certificate attests, and
``(ii) the applicability of the test over such periods of
time as the Secretary determines appropriate.
``(2) With respect to each organization or entity that is
an entity of the United States, a State, or political
subdivision of a State, that offers a licensing or
certification test for which payment may be made under this
part, the following provisions of paragraph (1) shall apply
to the entity: subparagraphs (E), (F), (G), and (H).
``(d) Administration.--(1) Except as otherwise specifically
provided in this section or part, in implementing this
section and making payment under this part for a licensing or
certification test, the test is deemed to be a `course' and
the organization or entity that offers such test is deemed to
be an `institution' or `educational institution',
respectively, as those terms are applied under and for
purposes of sections 3671, 3673, 3674, 3678, 3679, 3681,
3682, 3683, 3685, 3690, and 3696 of this title.
``(2) The Secretary shall use amounts appropriated to the
Department in fiscal year 2001 for readjustment benefits to
develop the systems and procedures required to make payments
under this part for a licensing or certification test, such
amounts not to exceed $3,000,000.
``(e) Professional Certification and Licensure Advisory
Committee.--(1) There is established within the Department a
committee to be known as the Professional Certification and
Licensure Advisory Committee (hereinafter in this section
referred to as the `Committee').
``(2) The Committee shall advise the Secretary with respect
to the requirements of organizations or entities offering
licensing and certification tests to individuals for which
payment for such tests may be made under this part, and such
other related issues as the Committee determines to be
appropriate.
``(3)(A) The Secretary shall appoint five individuals with
expertise in matters relating to licensing and certification
tests to serve as members of the Committee, of whom--
``(i) one shall be a representative of the Coalition for
Professional Certification,
``(ii) one shall be a representative of the Council on
Licensure and Enforcement, and
``(iii) one shall be a representative of the National Skill
Standards Board (established under section 503 of the
National Skill Standards Act of 1994 (20 U.S.C. 5933)).
``(B) The Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Defense
shall serve as ex-officio members of the Committee.
``(C) A vacancy in the Committee shall be filled in the
manner in which the original appointment was made.
``(4)(A) The Secretary shall appoint the chairman of the
Committee.
``(B) The Committee shall meet at the call of the chairman.
``(C)(i) Members of the Committee shall serve without
compensation.
``(ii) Members of the Committee shall be allowed reasonable
and necessary travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of
subsistence, at rates authorized for persons serving
intermittently in the Government service in accordance with
the provisions of subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5 while
away from their homes or regular places of business in the
performance of the responsibilities of the Committee.
``(5) The Committee shall terminate December 31, 2006.''.
(2) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the
beginning of chapter 36 is amended by inserting after the
item relating to section 3688 the following new item:
``3689. Approval requirements for licensing and certification
testing.''.
(d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section
shall take effect on October 1, 2000, and apply with respect
to licensing and certification tests approved by the
Secretary on or after such date.
SEC. 8. EXTENSION OF CERTAIN TEMPORARY AUTHORITIES.
(a) Enhanced Loan Asset Sale Authority.--Section 3720(h)(2)
is amended by striking ``December 31, 2002'' and inserting
``December 31, 2008''.
(b) Home Loan Fees.--Section 3729(a) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (4)(B)--
(A) by striking ``2002'' and inserting ``2008''; and
(B) by striking ``2003'' and inserting ``2009''; and
(2) in paragraph (5)(C), by striking ``October 1, 2002''
and inserting ``October 1, 2008''.
(c) Procedures Applicable to Liquidation Sales on Defaulted
Home Loans Guaranteed by the Department of Veterans
Affairs.--Section 3732(c)(11) is amended by striking
``October 1, 2002'' and inserting ``October 1, 2008''.
(d) Income Verification Authority.--Section 5317(g) is
amended by striking ``September 30, 2002'' and inserting
``September 30, 2008''.
(e) Limitation on Pension for Certain Recipients of
Medicaid-covered Nursing Home Care.--Section 5503(f)(7) is
amended by striking ``September 30, 2002'' and inserting
``September 30, 2008''.
SEC. 9. CODIFICATION OF RECURRING PROVISIONS IN ANNUAL
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS APPROPRIATIONS
ACTS.
(a) Codification of Recurring Provisions.--(1) Section 313
is amended by adding at the end the following new
subsections:
``(c) Compensation and Pension.--Funds appropriated for
Compensation and Pensions are available for the following
purposes:
``(1) The payment of compensation benefits to or on behalf
of veterans as authorized by section 107 and chapters 11, 13,
51, 53, 55, and 61 of this title.
``(2) Pension benefits to or on behalf of veterans as
authorized by chapters 15, 51, 53, 55, and 61 of this title
and section 306 of the Veterans' and Survivors' Pension
Improvement Act of 1978.
``(3) The payment of benefits as authorized under chapter
18 of this title.
``(4) Burial benefits, emergency and other officers'
retirement pay, adjusted-service credits and certificates,
payments of premiums due on commercial life insurance
policies guaranteed under the provisions of article IV of the
Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act of 1940 (50 U.S.C.
App. 540 et seq.), and other benefits as authorized by
sections 107, 1312, 1977, and 2106 and chapters 23, 51, 53,
55, and 61 of this title and the World War Adjusted
Compensation Act (43 Stat. 122, 123), the Act of May 24, 1928
(Public Law No. 506 of the 70th Congress; 45 Stat. 735), and
Public Law 87-875 (76 Stat. 1198).
``(d) Medical Care.--Funds appropriated for Medical Care
are available for the following purposes:
``(1) The maintenance and operation of hospitals, nursing
homes, and domiciliary facilities.
``(2) Furnishing, as authorized by law, inpatient and
outpatient care and treatment to beneficiaries of the
Department, including
[[Page H3552]]
care and treatment in facilities not under the jurisdiction
of the Department.
``(3) Furnishing recreational facilities, supplies, and
equipment.
``(4) Funeral and burial expenses and other expenses
incidental to funeral and burial expenses for beneficiaries
receiving care from the Department.
``(5) Administrative expenses in support of planning,
design, project management, real property acquisition and
disposition, construction, and renovation of any facility
under the jurisdiction or for the use of the Department.
``(6) Oversight, engineering, and architectural activities
not charged to project cost.
``(7) Repairing, altering, improving, or providing
facilities in the medical facilities and homes under the
jurisdiction of the Department, not otherwise provided for,
either by contact or by the hire of temporary employees and
purchase of materials.
``(8) Uniforms or uniform allowances, as authorized by
sections 5901 and 5902 of title 5.
``(9) Aid to State homes, as authorized by section 1741 of
this title.
``(10) Administrative and legal expenses of the Department
for collecting and recovering amounts owed the Department as
authorized under chapter 17 of this title and Public Law 87-
693, popularly known as the Federal Medical Care Recovery Act
(42 U.S.C. 2651 et seq.).
``(e) Medical Administration and Miscellaneous Operating
Expenses.--Funds appropriated for Medical Administration and
Miscellaneous Operating Expenses are available for the
following purposes:
``(1) The administration of medical, hospital, nursing
home, domiciliary, construction, supply, and research
activities authorized by law.
``(2) Administrative expenses in support of planning,
design, project management, architectural work, engineering,
real property acquisition and disposition, construction, and
renovation of any facility under the jurisdiction or for the
use of the Department, including site acquisition.
``(3) Engineering and architectural activities not charged
to project costs.
``(4) Research and development in building construction
technology.
``(f) General Operating Expenses.--Funds appropriated for
General Operating Expenses are available for the following
purposes:
``(1) Uniforms or allowances therefor.
``(2) Hire of passenger motor vehicles.
``(3) Reimbursement of the General Services Administration
for security guard services.
``(4) Reimbursement of the Department of Defense for the
cost of overseas employee mail.
``(5) Administration of the Service Members Occupational
Conversion and Training Act of 1992 (10 U.S.C. 1143 note).
``(g) Construction.--Funds appropriated for Construction,
Major Projects, and for Construction, Minor Projects, are
available, with respect to a project, for the following
purposes:
``(1) Planning.
``(2) Architectural and engineering services.
``(3) Maintenance or guarantee period services costs
associated with equipment guarantees provided under the
project.
``(4) Services of claims analysts.
``(5) Offsite utility and storm drainage system
construction costs.
``(6) Site acquisition.
``(h) Construction, Minor Projects.--In addition to the
purposes specified in subsection (g), funds appropriated for
Construction, Minor Projects, are available for--
``(1) repairs to any of the nonmedical facilities under the
jurisdiction or for the use of the Department which are
necessary because of loss or damage caused by a natural
disaster or catastrophe; and
``(2) temporary measures necessary to prevent or to
minimize further loss by such causes.''.
(2)(A) Chapter 1 is amended by adding at the end the
following new section:
``Sec. 116. Definition of cost of direct and guaranteed loans
``For the purpose of any provision of law appropriating
funds to the Department for the cost of direct or guaranteed
loans, the cost of any such loan, including the cost of
modifying any such loan, shall be as defined in section 502
of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 661a).''.
(B) The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter
is amended by adding at the end the following new item:
``116. Definition of cost of direct and guaranteed loans.''.
(b) Effective Date.--Subsections (c) through (h) of section
313 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection
(a)(1), and section 116 of such title, as added by subsection
(a)(2), shall take effect with respect to funds appropriated
for fiscal year 2002.
SEC. 10. PRESERVATION OF CERTAIN REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.
(a) Inapplicability of Prior Reports Termination Provision
to Certain Reports of the Department of Veterans Affairs.--
Section 3003(a)(1) of the Federal Reports Elimination and
Sunset Act of 1995 (31 U.S.C. 1113 note) does not apply to
any report required to be submitted under any of the
following sections of title 38, United States Code: sections
503(c), 529, 541(c), 542(c), 3036, and 7312(d).
(b) Repeal of Reporting Requirements Terminated by Prior
Law.--Sections 8111A(f) and 8201(h) are repealed.
(c) Sunset of Certain Reporting Requirements.--
(1) Annual report on equitable relief cases.--Section
503(c) is amended by adding at the end the following new
sentence: ``No report shall be required under this subsection
after December 31, 2004.''.
(2) Biennial report of advisory committee on former
prisoners of war.--Section 541(c)(1) is amended by inserting
``through 2003'' after ``each odd-numbered year''.
(3) Biennial report of advisory committee on women
veterans.--Section 542(c)(1) is amended by inserting
``through 2004'' after ``each even-numbered year''.
(4) Biennial reports on montgomery gi bill.--Subsection (d)
of section 3036 is amended to read as follows:
``(d) No report shall be required under this section after
January 1, 2005.''.
(5) Annual report of special medical advisory group.--
Section 7312(d) is amended by adding at the end the following
new sentence: ``No report shall be required under this
subsection after December 31, 2004.''.
(d) Cost Information To Be Provided With Each Report
Required by Congress.--
(1) In general.--(A) Chapter 1, as amended by section
9(2)(A), is further
amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``Sec. 117. REPORTS TO CONGRESS: COST INFORMATION
``Whenever the Secretary submits to Congress, or any
committee of Congress, a report that is required by law or by
a joint explanatory statement of a committee of conference of
the Congress, the Secretary shall include with the report--
``(1) a statement of the cost of preparing the report; and
``(2) a brief explanation of the methodology used in
preparing that cost statement.''.
(B) The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter,
as amended by section 9(2)(B), is further amended by adding
at the end the following new item:
``117. Reports to Congress: cost information.''.
(2) Effective Date.--Section 117 of title 38, United States
Code, as added by paragraph (1) of this subsection, shall
apply with respect to any report submitted by the Secretary
of Veterans Affairs after the end of the 90-day period
beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Arizona (Mr. Stump) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Evans) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Stump).
General Leave
Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks
and include extraneous material on S. 1402.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Arizona?
There was no objection.
Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
(Mr. STUMP asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, the committee amendment to S. 1402 is H.R.
4268, the Veterans and Dependents Millennium Education Act. This bill
was favorably reported by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs on May 11.
Last year, the report of the congressional commission on service
members and veterans transition assistance, better known as the
Principi Commission, indicated that substantial increases in veterans'
education programs are needed. The Committee on Veterans' Affairs
agreed with that assessment. H.R. 4268 would take our first steps to
improve veterans' education benefits as recommended in the commission
report. It would increase the Montgomery GI Bill from $536 to $600 per
month on October 1, 2000, and to $720 a month on October 1, 2002.
Educational assistance benefits for survivors and dependents would be
raised at the same amount.
H.R. 4268 would also furnish individuals still on active duty the
option to convert to Montgomery GI Bill eligibility if they were
eligible for the post-Vietnam era Veterans' Educational Assistance
Program. More needs to be done on this to bring the Montgomery GI Bill
benefits in line with the rising cost of education, but this bill is a
good start. We have worked closely with the Committee on the Budget on
this legislation, which is paid for under the pay-go requirements of
the Budget Act. I want to personally thank the gentleman from Ohio (Mr.
Kasich) for his support of this proposal and for working to include it
in the budget resolution.
I urge my colleagues to support passage of S. 1402, as amended.
[[Page H3553]]
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
First, I want to thank the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Stump) for his
leadership on this legislation before us today. I am optimistic that
the House will enact legislation to increase the Montgomery GI Bill
basic monthly benefit and make other improvements to this important
veterans' readjustment program. I am very pleased that the person who
provided the inspiration for this program, Sonny Montgomery, has joined
us today. We appreciate his attendance. We are very pleased that he
came up with the idea of the new GI Bill, and we will work with him in
the future.
I also want to recognize the other gentleman from Mississippi (Mr.
Shows) for his determined advocacy for veterans. He is a leader on
veterans' educational benefits and health care for our retirees. On
behalf of our veterans, I want to thank him for his leadership on these
and many other important issues. I also welcome the support of the
administration for needed benefit increases in the Montgomery GI Bill.
The administration has proposed to increase the basic monthly benefit
to $670 per month effective October 1 of this year. That would provide
a very significant 25 percent increase in the monthly benefit.
I think every member of our committee believes that this increase is
needed, long overdue, and a step in the right direction. The
administration's support for benefit increases in the GI Bill is very
welcome, and I look forward to working with them in the future.
Last year, the gentleman from Arizona and I introduced separate
measures to improve the Montgomery GI Bill. The legislation I authored
with the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Dingell), H.R. 1071, is
cosponsored by 143 Members of our House of Representatives. This
includes a large representation of the Members, and it is a great honor
to support the gentleman from Arizona's leadership on this issue. H.R.
1071 would provide the meaningful increase in educational benefits I
believe our Nation should provide to the women and men who serve our
country in the Armed Forces by restoring the GI Bill's purchasing
power. Mr. Speaker, we know H.R. 4268 is only the first step toward
improving the Montgomery GI Bill program in a meaningful way. This
legislation does comply with pay-go. Congress can enact it. It will
provide real benefit increases for veterans and their dependents. That
is why I hope the House will approve this unanimously today.
Mr. Speaker, first, I want to thank Chairman Stump for his leadership
on the legislation before us today. I am optimistic that Congress will
enact legislation to increase the Montgomery GI Bill basic monthly
benefit and make other improvements to his important veterans'
readjustment program. I also want to recognize the gentleman from
Mississippi, Ronnie Shows, for his determined advocacy for veterans. He
is a leader on veterans' educational benefits and health care for our
military retirees. On behalf of our veterans, I thank him for his
leadership on these and so many other important issues.
Mr. Speaker, I also welcome support from the Administration for
needed benefit increases in the Montgomery GI Bill. The Administration
has proposed to increase the basic monthly benefit to $670 per month
effective October 1st this year. This would provide a very significant
25% increase in the monthly benefit. I believe every Member of the
Committee on Veterans Affairs believes this increase is needed, long
overdue, and represents a step in the right direction. I look forward
to working with the Administration in the future as we move forward
with the subsequent steps necessary to restore the original purchasing
power to the GI Bill.
Last year, Chairman Stump and I introduced separate measures to
improve the Montgomery GI bill. The legislation which I authored with
Congressman Dingell, H.R. 1071, is cosponsored by 143 members of the
House. H.R. 1071 provides the meaningful increase in educational
benefits I believe our nation should provide the women and men who
serve our country in the Armed Forces.
Historically, the MGIB program has been the most important recruiting
incentive for the armed services. But the value of these benefits has
failed to keep up with the spiraling costs of higher education.
Enhancements to rectify this problem with the MGIB are long overdue. I
strongly agree with the report of the Congressional Commission on
Service members and Veterans Transition Assistance, which concluded ``.
. . an opportunity to obtain the best education for which they qualify
is the most valuable benefit our Nation can offer the men and women
whose military service preserves our liberty.'' I applaud the
Commission's bold, new plan for the MGIB. This proposal, however, must
be further strengthened and enhanced if the MGIB is to fulfill its
purposes as a meaningful readjustment benefit and as an effective
recruitment incentive for our Armed Forces. Since implementation of the
Montgomery GI Bill on July 1, 1985, there have been major changes in
the economic and sociological landscapes that make revisions in the
structure and benefit level of this program imperative.
Of immediate concern is the ineffectiveness of the MGIB as a
readjustment program for service members making the transition from a
military to a civilian workforce. Although costs of education have
soared, nearly doubling since 1980, GI Bill benefits have not kept
pace. In fact, during the 1995-96 school year, the basic benefit paid
under the MGIB offsets only a paltry 36 percent of average total
education costs, and the disappointingly low usage rate of 51% for 1998
confirms the inadequacy of the current program's benefit levels.
Under current law, young men and women who serve in our Armed Forces
have the option of enrolling in the MGIB when they enter the military.
This includes their agreement to a $100 per month pay reduction during
the first 12 months of service, for a total contribution of $1200. Once
their initial term of service has been honorably served, a veteran is
eligible to receive the basic educational benefit of $536 each month he
or she is enrolled in full-time college study. The benefit continues
for up to 36 months. Assuming he or she is enrolled for a typical nine-
month academic year, the veteran's total benefit for that year is
$4,824. With this modest amount he or she is expected to pay for
tuition, fees, room and board.
The average annual cost of tuition and basic expenses at a four-year
public college is $8,774 for commuter students and $10,909 for students
who live on campus. Not surprisingly, the same annual costs for four-
year private colleges are even higher: $20,500 for commuter students
and $23,651 for residents. the disparity between these ever-increasing
costs and a veteran's ability to pay for them is clear. This disparity
recently prompted key military and veteran organizations to join
together with organizations representing colleges to form the
``Partnership for Veterans' Education.'' The coalition launched an
energetic campaign calling for Congress to at least go as far as
increasing the basic benefit under the MGIB to $975 per month, enough
to cover the $8,774 average annual cost of attending a four-year public
college as a commuter student.
As I've stated already, H.R. 4268 will not meet these overwhelming
education costs standing on its own. It is an important step in the
right direction, though, as Congress seeks to find ways to fully
restore the GI Bill's purchasing power to what was originally intended.
As introduced, section two of H.R. 4268 would increase the basic
benefit under the GI Bill from $536 to $600 per month on October 1,
2000 and to $720 per month on October 1, 2002, for full-time students,
with proportionate increases for part-time students. Section three
would furnish individuals still on active duty who either turned down a
previous opportunity to convert to the MGIB or had a zero balance in
their Vietnam era Veterans' Education Assistance Program (VEAP)
account, the option to pay $2,700 to convert to MGIB eligibility.
Section four would increase survivors' and dependents' educational
assistance benefits for full-time students from $485 to $600 per month
effective October 1, 2000, and $720 per month effective October 1,
2002, with proportionate increases from part-time students. An annual
cost of living adjustment is also authorized.
Section five would permit the award of Survivors' and Dependents'
Educational Assistance payments to be retroactive to the date of VA's
adjudication of a service-connected death or a 100% disability rating.
Section six would solve a problem that faces a small number of students
whose schools have different schedules. It would allow for monthly
educational assistance benefits to be paid between term, quarter, or
semester intervals of up to 8 weeks in duration. Section seven would
allow the use of Montgomery GI Bill
[[Page H3554]]
benefits to pay for fee associated with a veteran's civilian
occupational licensing or certification examination.
To offset the costs of H.R. 4268, section eight of the bill as
introduced, would extend temporary authorities to 2008 that would
otherwise expire on September 30, 2002. These include a VA enhanced
loan asset authority guaranteeing the payment of principal and interest
on VA-issued certificates or other securities; VA home loan fees of
three-quarters of 1 percent of the total loan amount, procedures
applicable to liquidation sales on defaulted home loans guaranteed by
VA; VA/Department of Health and Human Services income verification
authority in which VA verifies the eligibility of, or applicants for,
VA needs-based benefits and VA means-tested medical care by gaining
access to income records of the Department of Health and Human
Services/Social Security Administration and the Internal Revenue
Service; and limitation on VA pension on veterans without dependents
receiving Medicaid-covered nursing home care.
In addition, section nine of the bill would codify recurring
provisions in annual VA appropriations acts, and section ten would
reinstate the requirements that the Secretary provide periodic reports.
Specifically, these concern reports on equitable relief granted by the
Secretary to an individual beneficiary (expires December 31, 2004);
work and activities of the Department; programs and activities examined
by the Advisory Committees on Former Prisoners of War and Women
Veterans (expires after biennial reports submitted in 2003); operation
of the Montgomery GI Bill educational assistance program (expires
December 31, 2004); and the activities of the Secretary's special
medical advisory group (expires December 31, 2004). In addition,
section ten requires the Secretary to include with any report an
estimate of the cost of preparing the report.
The current structure of the MGIB served the veterans of the second
half of the 20th century very well. However, the MGIB must now be re-
examined in the context of a January, 1999 report by he Departments of
Commerce, Labor, and Education, the Small Business Administration, and
the National Institute for Literacy. This report, entitled ``21st
Century Skills for 21st Century Jobs,'' has important implications for
veterans entering the civilian workforce. Emphasizing the importance to
the nation of investing in education and training, the report concluded
changes in the economy and workplace are requiring greater levels of
skill and education than ever before. It predicted eight of the ten
fastest growing jobs in the next decade will require college education
or moderate to long-term training, and jobs requiring a bachelor's
degree will increase by 25%. The report also noted workers with more
education enjoy greater benefits, experience less unemployment and, if
dislocated, re-enter the labor force far more quickly than individuals
with less education. It also reports that, on average, college
graduates earn 77% more than individuals with only a high school
diploma. If America's veterans are to successfully compete in the
challenging 21st century workforce, they simply have to have the
ability to obtain the education and training critical to their success.
As noted by the Transition Commission, ``. . . education will be the
key to employment in the information age.''
According to the 1997 Department of Defense report entitled
``Population Representation in the Military Services,'' 20% of the new
enlisted recruits for that year were African American, 10% were
Hispanic, 6% were other minorities, including Native Americans, Asians,
and Pacific Islanders, and 18% were women. The report further notes
that, although members of the military come from backgrounds somewhat
lower in socioeconomic status than the U.S. average, these young men
and women have higher levels of education, measured aptitudes, and
reading skills than their civilian counterparts. These young people,
most of whom do not enter military service with financial or
socioeconomic advantages, have enormous potential, and it is in the
best interests of the nation they be given every opportunity to achieve
their highest potential. Access to education is the key to achieving
that potential. It is also important to remember that, through the
sacrifices required of them through their military service, this group
of young Americans--more than any other--earns the benefits provided
for them by a grateful nation.
Of equal concern to me as a member of the Armed Services Committee is
the MGIB program's failure to fulfill its purpose as a recruitment
incentive for the Armed Forces. Findings of the 1998 Youth Attitude
Tracking Study (YATS)--confirm that recruiters are faced with serious
challenges, and these challenges are likely to continue. This survey of
young men and women, conducted annually by the Department of Defense,
provides information on the propensity, attitudes and motivations of
young people toward military service. The latest YATS shows the
propensity to enlist among young males has fallen from 34% in 1991 to
26% in 1998, in spite of a generally favorable view of the military. In
addition to a thriving civilian economy, which inevitably results in
recruiting challenges, the percentage of American youth going to
college is increasing and the young people most likely to go to college
express little interest in joining our Armed Forces. Interestingly,
these same youth note that if they were to serve in the military, their
primary reason for enlisting would be to earn educational assistance
benefits.
The study concluded the propensity to enlist is substantially below
pre-drawdown levels and, as a result, the services will probably not
succeed in recruiting the number of young, high-quality men and women
they need in FY 1999. High-quality youth are defined as those who have
a high school diploma and who have at least average scores on tests
measuring mathematical and verbal skills. The Department of Defense
tells us about 80% of these recruits will complete their first three
years of active duty while only 50% of recruits with a GED will
complete their enlistment. GAO notes that it costs at least $35,000 to
replace a recruit who leaves the service prematurely. The report states
these findings underscore the need for education benefits that will
attract college-bound youth who need money for school, a segment of
American young people we conclude are not opting to take advantage of
the many other sources of federal education assistance. The current
structure and benefit level of the MGIB must be significantly amended
if these high quality young men and women are to be attracted to
service in our Armed Forces.
The Army has been missing its enlistment goals several times now.
Additionally, for the first time since 1979, the Air Force may be
missing its targets too. Although the Navy and Marine Corps are
currently meeting their enlistment goals, they will likely miss them in
the future unless we take quick and effective action. The CINC, U.S.
Atlantic Fleet, Admiral Paul Reason, recently reported to the Senate
Armed Services Committee that the last three carrier battle groups have
deployed with forces below the required manning level. Specifically,
the U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt battle group deployed last year with 9%
of its positions unfilled. These are strong indications of a coming
readiness crisis, and we must not ignore these disturbing signals.
Many factors have come together to create what could soon develop
into a recruiting emergency. First, our thriving national economy is
generating employment opportunities for our young people. Additionally,
young Americans increasingly see a college education as the key to
success and prosperity. In 1980, 74% of high school graduates went to
college but, by 1992, that percentage had risen to 81% and is
increasing. As a result, the military must compete head-to-head with
colleges for high-quality youth. As I have mentioned already, the
percentage of young Americans who are interested in serving in the
Armed Forces is also shrinking. Make no mistake about it--the strength
of our Armed Forces begins and ends with the men and women who serve
our nation. Just as education is the key to a society's success or
failure, it is also key to the quality and effectiveness of our
military forces--and the MGIB increases included in this substitute
budget resolution are a step in the right direction toward providing
that key.
Veterans are not using the MGIB benefits they earned through
honorable military service, and high-ability, college-bound young
Americans are choosing not to serve in the Armed Forces. Significant
changes in the program will increase program usage and will enable the
military services to recruit the smart young people they need.
Accordingly, several bills have been introduced in both the House and
the Senate during the 106th Congress that would significantly improve
the MGIB. The Senate has twice passed legislation that included
numerous changes designed to enhance educational opportunities under
the
[[Page H3555]]
MGIB, and other bills have been introduced. In the House, MGIB
legislation has been introduced by Mr. Stump, Chairman of the House
Veterans' Affairs Committee, Mr. Shows, and me, the Ranking Democrat on
the Committee. H.R. 4268 is the most likely of these legislative
initiatives to be passed by the House and move forward. Mr. Speaker, we
know H.R. 4268 is only the first step that needs to be taken to improve
the MGIB program. H.R. 4268 does comply with pay-go and should be
enacted by Congress. It will provide real benefit increases for
veterans and their dependents. For this reason, Mr. Speaker, I strongly
urge the House to vote unanimously in favor of the Veterans and
Dependents Millennium Education Act.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from New York (Mr. Quinn), the chairman of the Subcommittee
on Benefits.
Mr. QUINN. I thank the gentleman from Arizona for yielding me this
time.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today in support of the amendment
to S. 1402. On April 13, the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Stump), the
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Evans), and 21 members of the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs introduced the Veterans and Dependents Millennium
Education Act, H.R. 4268, which was the culmination of over 16 months
of effort.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to take some time now to be specific about
what is in this bill and how it helps almost immediately close to a
half a million of our veterans and their families. This excellent
bipartisan bill improves the veterans' readjustment and military
recruitment aspects of the Montgomery GI Bill. In fact, I believe it
builds on the wisdom and foresight of the revered individual and our
friend, Sonny Montgomery, who is with us this morning for whom Congress
named the all-volunteer force Educational Assistance Program back in
1987.
S. 1402, as amended, then will help hundreds of thousands of
veterans, service members and their families; and it will do so right
now. For over 300,000 veteran-students now using the Montgomery GI Bill
and young Americans contemplating service in our all-volunteer force,
effective October 1 of this year, the bill increases the basic
Montgomery GI Bill benefit from $536 per month, as was mentioned, to
$600 per month. On October 1, 2002, it increases this basic benefit to
$720 per month. Each of these improvements have proportional increases
for part-time students and for those who enlist for only 2 years.
Currently, the Montgomery GI Bill provides $19,296 in benefits over 4
years. Over the next 4 years, our bill increases this amount to
$23,760, an increase of over $4,400.
This bill will be welcome news for 137,000 active-duty service
members who either previously turned down an opportunity to convert
from the post-Vietnam era Veterans Educational Assistance Program,
which has come to be known as VEAP, to the Montgomery GI Bill or who
had a zero balance in their VEAP account previously. For a $2,700 buy-
in, these individuals will receive full Montgomery GI Bill benefits. We
have also structured in the bill the buy-in so service members who
retire as of April 1 of this year and later will also be eligible.
We will help about 48,000 survivors and dependents of veterans who
died or are permanently disabled as the result of military service. We
will increase their monthly benefits to go to college from $485 per
month to $600 per month effective this October and to $720 per month 2
years in the future. We will also help about 360 veteran-students
attending Ohio University and hundreds of veterans at other colleges
around the country. These are colleges that take an extended term break
between Thanksgiving and New Year's, for example.
This measure would allow veteran-students to be paid for the 40-day
term interval just as student-veterans with a 30-day interval or less.
Lastly, we will help about 25,000 service members who are discharged
from the military each year who need a civilian license or
certification to enter, maintain, or advance their vocation or
profession. They will be able to use their Montgomery GI Bill benefits
to pay for these examinations, which sometimes average to be $150 each
or more. All told, about a half a million, 519,000 veterans, survivors
and service members will benefit from this measure during the first
year of its enactment.
Mr. Speaker, the spending associated with the bill is budget neutral
over 5 years. We have identified offsets by eliminating sunset dates on
certain provisions, including veterans home loan fees, liquidation
sales on defaulted home loans, authority for VA to access IRS data for
determining eligibility for veterans' pension benefits and limitations
on pensions for some veterans in nursing homes who are eligible for
Medicaid coverage instead.
Forty-two veterans, military service and higher education
organizations have supported and endorsed the bill. In closing, this
morning's bill is only the first step. Indeed, we had lengthy
discussions at the full committee during the markup that it is not all
that we want to do, but it is what we can do right now and make a
difference. We look forward to continuing our work with veterans,
military, and higher education associations in the partnership for
veterans' education to find ways to continue to improve Montgomery GI
Bill benefits.
Mr. Speaker, I strongly encourage my colleagues this afternoon to
support S. 1402, as amended. I also want to close by thanking the
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Evans) and the gentleman from Arizona (Mr.
Stump) who have served together on the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
now for almost 19 years for their enduring commitment on veterans
issues. Today's bill we see is an excellent example of their strong
bipartisan leadership on behalf of our Nation's service members and
veterans.
Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from
California (Mr. Filner).
Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this
time.
I have to be honest with my colleagues, Mr. Speaker. I am
disappointed in this bill. I know the deep commitment that the
gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Stump), the gentleman from Illinois (Mr.
Evans), and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Quinn), chairman of the
Subcommittee on Benefits, have for the veterans of this Nation. I know
they want to do what is best for our veterans. But the Veterans and
Dependents Millennium Education Act, S. 1402, does not come even close
to where we need to be for an effective educational benefit for our
veterans today. If this is a bill for the millennium, it is a bill for
the last millennium.
Let me try to show that through the history that our committee has
gone through. The previous speakers have talked about the congressional
Commission on Service Members and Veterans Transition Assistance, which
reported its work to the Congress more than a year ago. That commission
said that the biggest single thing we can do for our veterans in terms
of benefits is to make the Montgomery GI Bill really relevant to their
education and pick up the full cost of college education plus a decent
stipend.
{time} 1215
In fact, that would be a great inducement to recruitment, which, as
we all know, is falling behind today.
Everybody on our Committee on Veterans' Affairs applauded that
recommendation and said we ought to move forward with it. The gentleman
from Illinois (Mr. Evans), the ranking member of the committee,
introduced H.R. 1071, which said that the recommendations of that
Transition Commission were accepted. That bill would pay for the full
cost of tuition, fees, books, and supplies, and, in addition, a stipend
of $800 a month. The gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Stump) put forward a
bill which was almost as good. His bill, H.R. 1182, would have paid for
90 percent of a veteran's tuition cost.
When those of us on the committee and the veterans and education
community recognized we would have to take steps toward that and could
not do it all at once, the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Shows)
introduced H.R. 4344, which had a broad coalition backing of 47
organizations which represented veterans of our Nation, the military
and the higher education community. The bill of the gentleman from
Mississippi (Mr. Shows) would reimburse veterans for the cost of
attending a 4-year public college as a commuter student, and that
worked out for this year to a monthly stipend of $975.
[[Page H3556]]
That stipend of $975 should be compared with the $600 that is in the
current bill. We can do better. The gentleman from New York (Mr. Quinn)
said this is something we can do right now, we can do the bill of the
gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Shows) right now. We have the funds to
do that.
The bill before us just will not accomplish what the Montgomery GI
Bill set out to do and what the Transition Commission recommended. The
$536 that a veteran gets now does not go very far considering the cost
of higher education. In fact, the increase to $600 has already been
eaten up by the inflationary pressures that are faced by our colleges.
If you compare that with the $300 a month that was the benefit back in
1985, you can see how the benefit has not kept up with current demands.
Today, when America's economy is booming, when our budget is in great
surplus, I have a hard time looking veterans in the eye and telling
them to pursue a degree with the kind of money that the Montgomery Bill
gives them today. It comes up short when you compare it to the cost of
higher education. All our veterans know it, we know it, the committee
knows it, and all of you here said that you know it. You see this as a
first step.
Now, I know that, as I said, our leadership on the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs, the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Stump), the
gentleman from New York (Mr. Quinn), the gentleman from Illinois (Mr.
Evans) on the Democratic side, we all want to do more, and I certainly
will work with both of you, all of you, in the months ahead to provide
the kind of education benefits that our veterans deserve and this new
millennium demands.
People have said that our former member, Sonny Montgomery, great
chairman of the committee, is with us in the Chamber. We salute him, we
salute the bill to which he gave his name, the Montgomery GI Bill. Let
us really honor Sonny Montgomery by significantly, in the months ahead,
improving this benefit for our veterans.
Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from
Arizona (Mr. Hayworth), a member of the committee.
Mr. HAYWORTH. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman of the full
committee, the dean of our delegation, for yielding me time.
Mr. Chairman, I rise as the vice chairman of the Subcommittee on
Benefits, thanking the chairman of the subcommittee for his comments,
thanking the ranking member for his comments, and acknowledging that,
in a free society, dealing with difficult questions, at times there are
those who are frustrated because, in their minds, perfection is
alluded. Let me suggest, Mr. Speaker, to all those within the sound of
my voice, and especially my colleagues here today, we will never
achieve perfection. Indeed, one of the challenges we confront is how to
best shape and prioritize the very serious constitutional missions that
we have.
Mr. Speaker, I believe it is important for this Congress to reaffirm
support for men and women in uniform who confront shortages in terms of
ammunition, in terms of training, in terms of their dependence, and
those are other questions with which we must deal.
Would, Mr. Speaker, that all of us here could show the same
allegiance to those currently wearing the uniform as we profess for
veterans. But let us turn to the question of those currently in uniform
and one of the reasons I rise in strong support of this legislation. It
is something that my colleague from New York, the chairman of the
subcommittee, pointed out; the fact that now we have provided
provisions for those service members who are unable to convert their
funds to the Montgomery GI Bill during the 1997 open window to do so
with this. First, individuals who had no money in their VEAP accounts,
often because their service branch advised them to transfer their VEAP
dollars to an interest-bearing account; and secondly, those who had
some money in their VEAP account and did not convert because they did
not know of the opportunity.
So it is in this spirit that we take that step today, not only
mindful of our good friend from Mississippi who joins us, the former
chairman of this committee, but also speaking volumes about the
leadership of my good friend from Arizona and the ranking member from
Illinois, and that we do not let the perfect become the enemy of the
good, but we stand tall for this important legislation to help current
service members and veterans receive the educational benefits they
deserve.
Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, I have no further questions for time, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Nevada (Mr. Gibbons), a member of the committee.
(Mr. GIBBONS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the chairman of the
full committee, the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Stump), a veteran
himself, who has been a dedicated individual for veterans rights, for
granting me the time to speak on this bill.
Mr. Speaker, I am honored to rise today in support of S. 1402 and
this important update to the historic Montgomery GI Bill, a bill which
was originally sponsored by my good friend, Sonny Montgomery from
Mississippi, who is present with us today.
I think it is an honor for all of us to have an opportunity to help
educate hundreds of thousands of veterans and service members and their
families. This bill will go a long way, especially addressing some of
the needs of our guard and reserve members as well. Best of all, it
will help them now.
Mr. Speaker, America is proud, and rightly so, of its tradition of
defense by its citizen soldiers; and we in this Congress are, for the
first time, beginning to reverse decades of declining resources
dedicated to equipping our soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines for
their combat roles. This bill now under consideration does the same for
equipping them in advancing their educational goals.
This budget-neutral bill will increase the Montgomery GI stipend by a
third over 2 years, it will increase the monies available to surviving
families of deceased service members, and it will provide the licensing
or certification of funds for veterans who are integrating into the
civilian workforce.
Mr. Speaker, I join the gentleman from Arizona (Chairman Stump); the
ranking member, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Evans); and the
chairman of the Subcommittee on Benefits (Chairman Quinn) in urging
your support for the strong and much deserved bipartisan Veterans and
Dependents Millennium Education Act.
Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman), the chairman of our Committee on
International Relations.
(Mr. GILMAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of S. 1402, the Veterans
and Dependents Millennium Act, and I thank the distinguished chairman
of our committee on Veterans' Affairs, the gentleman from Arizona (Mr.
Stump) for his continual support of our veterans and for bringing this
measure to the floor at this time; along with the subcommittee
chairman, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Quinn); and the ranking
minority member, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Evans) for giving us
the opportunity to consider this measure.
I want to add my compliments to the former Congressman, the former
chairman of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Mr. Montgomery, who has
been the father and major proponent of the GI Bill. We are pleased he
is here with us today.
The purpose of this bill is to bring the various education benefits
afforded to veterans to a level more in line with today's increasingly
expensive higher education opportunities. Specifically, the legislation
increases the monthly Montgomery GI Bill rate from $536 a month to $600
a month, beginning in October of this year. That amount increases to
$720 a month starting in October of 2002. The bill also increases
survivors and dependents educational assistance, which is so important.
Mr. Speaker, the GI Bill is arguably the most profound and far-
reaching piece of legislation enacted by Congress in the 20th Century.
It has helped many of us here in the Congress. The program, first
implemented after World War II, single-handedly afforded
[[Page H3557]]
a college education to millions of working class men and women who
served during the war, and, in doing so, it helped to transform America
in the post-war years, leading to the baby-boom and the rise in middle-
class suburbia.
This measure is the latest of several bills passed in the last 50
years to bring the benefits of the GI Bill to levels that reflect the
contemporary costs of higher education. Consequently, current and
future generations are going to be able to enjoy the tangible benefits
of a college education as a result of their service in the military of
their country. Accordingly, I urge my colleagues to support this worthy
and timely legislation.
Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr.
Evans), the ranking member on the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for
all of his hard work on this bill, and also his own bill, which would
have benefitted the veterans very much. I would like to thank the
gentleman from New York (Mr. Quinn) and the Subcommittee on Benefits
for the work they have done on this bill. My appreciation is extended
to the leadership for allowing us to present this bill today. It is
fitting we have a veterans benefits bill on Memorial Day for our
ceremonies throughout the country. This is a bipartisan bill, and I
urge Members to support it.
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 1402,
The Veterans and Dependents Millennium Education Act. As you know, this
bill will assist veterans and their family in attaining enhanced
educational assistance.
Since inception in 1944, educational benefits for our nation's
veterans have opened the doors to post-secondary education
opportunities for millions. Specifically, The Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB)
has been one of our nation's leading and most effective programs.
Millions of our nation's military personnel and their dependents have
been able to afford a post-secondary education, who might otherwise not
have been able to if not for the MGIB.
Under the Montgomery GI Bill, military officers accept a reduction in
their base pay of $100 per month for 12 months. In exchange, they
become entitled to 36 months of education benefits after they complete
their period of service or receive an honorable discharge from the
Armed Forces.
This program has enhanced our nation's competitiveness and military
readiness by helping to develop a more educated and productive
workforce and assisted the Armed Services in recruiting and retaining
the high quality individuals they need to attract to the military.
According to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Togo D. West, ``new
recruits to the Armed Forces cite money for college as the major reason
given for enlisting.'' As a matter of fact, some 96% of new recruits to
the Armed Forces sign up to participate specifically in the GI Bill.
However, despite the wisdom and foresight of this meaningful
educational assistance program, the MGIB has lost its effectiveness as
both a readjustment and recruitment tool. The amount available under
the MGIB is not enough to compensate youth for the time spent and risk
involved in military service. In fact, since 1985, about 95 percent of
service members have paid $1,200 to participate in the MGIB;
nevertheless, only about half of these members have used their MGIB.
Clearly, the time has come for Congress to intervene and make this bill
viable again for our military members, their dependents and our nation.
S. 1402 will make this meaningful program viable once. Specifically,
this bill will increase the MGIB from $536 to $600 per month on October
1, 2000, and $720 per month on October 1, 2002, for full-time students,
with proportionate increases for part-time students. Second, this bill
will equip individuals still on active duty, who have turned down a
previous opportunity to convert to the MGIB or have had a zero balance
in their Post-Vietnam Era Veterans' Educational Assistance Program
(VEAP) account, the option to pay $2,700 to convert to MGIB
eligibility. Third, the bill will increase survivors' and dependents'
educational assistance benefits for full-time students from $485 to
$600 per month, and authorize an annual cost-of-living adjustment for
them. Finally, S. 1402 will allow MGIB benefits to pay the fee for a
veteran's civilian occupational licensing or certification examination.
Nevertheless, I hope this Congress will soon move to fully fund our
veterans who desire to seek opportunities for higher education.
I believe that S. 1402 will assist our nation in securing educated
and highly skilled military recruits. In addition, this bill will
secure the future of our military as well. As a result, I urge my
colleagues to pass this vital bill and make this worthwhile program
viable once again.
Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the amendment
offered to S. 1402. This truly bipartisan effort addresses many of the
problems service members face with regard to accessing adequate GI bill
education benefits.
Over the last several years, veterans and their families have called
on Congress to increase veterans education assistance, and equally
important, correct the injustices that have prevented many of the VEAP
era veterans from receiving GI bill education benefits. Congress,
through the leadership of House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman
Stump and Ranking Member Mr. Evans have answered their call by offering
this amendment.
While this legislation may not fully address the concerns of the
veterans community, it is clearly another giant step in our continued
efforts to improve GI bill education benefits. Rest assured, that my
colleagues and I on the House Veterans Affairs Committee will continue
to fight for improved and increased GI bill educational benefits.
Leaving the active military can be a very difficult time period for
veterans and their families. It is filled with uncertainty,
apprehension, and trepidation. Unfortunately, the current GI bill
education benefit has failed to keep pace with the rapidly changing
economy. In fact, many veterans have found that current educational
assistance does not meet their transition needs.
Furthermore, many other Federal programs offer far greater benefits
for little or no commitment. In fact, veterans educational assistance
is one of the few Federal educational benefits that is truly earned
with sweat equity, and yes, sometimes blood or loss of limb.
For these reasons, improving GI bill education benefits and
increasing access to these benefits is extremely important. Not only do
GI bill educational benefits assist veterans as they transition back
into the local communities that they willingly left to serve this
nation, these benefits also reflect the gratitude of a grateful nation.
I believe GI bill benefits, and this amendment represent a fitting and
proper way to say thank you for your sacrifice and unselfish commitment
in protecting America's cherished freedoms and liberties.
Mr. Speaker, this amendment holds true to the spirit of the original
GI bill that Congress passed in 1944. It will improve and increase
access to veterans educational assistance, and allow veterans the
opportunity to make a more complete transition as they leave the
military and enter the civilian workforce.
Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to speak in support of S. 1402,
the Veterans Millennium Education Bill.
I am proud to be an original cosponsor of this legislation, which is
a long overdue step to address the serious erosion of our veterans
educational benefits. Through this bill we raise the educational
benefits our veterans deserve and provide the recruitment incentive our
Armed Forces need.
Montgomery GI Bill benefits allow our Nation to extend its gratitude
to veterans for their service, compensate them for their time away from
family and careers, and gives them the opportunity to gain valuable
knowledge and skills through attendance at our Nation's colleges and
universities.
With the opportunities it provides to obtain an education, the GI
bill has been considered the most significant reason for our country's
high educational attainment and post-World War II economic leadership
and success.
Over time, however, the value of GI bill benefits has not kept pace
with the rising costs of higher education. In fact there is a gross
disparity between current benefits and the costs of going to school. In
an environment where there are greater sources of private scholarships
and funding, along with a strong economy, our best recruits no longer
see the same value in the GI bill. This has seriously hurt military
recruiting efforts.
Our veterans deserve better, and from a national security standpoint,
we cannot afford to allow our military to be without necessary manpower
and strength. With a strong economy and large budget surpluses this
situation has been unacceptable.
As a result, I am proud that this bill enhances educational
assistance amounts by almost 30 percent over 3 years, and at the same
time addresses a long time injustice, by allowing for those men and
women still on active duty to convert to the Montgomery GI Bill from
their Vietnam Era Veterans' Education Assistance Program [VEAP].
The benefit increases in H.R. 4268, raise the monthly amount from
$536 to $600 per month on October 1, 2000 and to $720 per month on
October 1, 2002 for full-time students.
While further increases in benefits are needed, this bill creates a
strong foundation for bringing the educational and training benefits to
the level for which our veterans are entitled.
We must never fail in our efforts to maintain, enhance, and improve
the benefits entitled to
[[Page H3558]]
our veteran population. By doing this, we honor their service, and
adequately provide for their needs and the recruiting requirements of
our Armed Forces.
I therefore stand in support of this bill, and ask my colleagues to
join in voting for its passage.
Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in enthusiastic support of S.
1402, the Veterans and Dependents Millennium Education Act of 2000
which would increase the amount of educational assistance to veterans
under the Montgomery GI Bill. This is a bipartisan bill that is long
over due and I complement Veterans Committee Chairman Stump and Ranking
Democrat Evans for their leadership in bringing it to the floor today.
Mr. Speaker, we continue to fail our veterans in repaying them for
their service to their country. We send them off to fight in our
defense and yet when they return we break many of the promises that
were made to them. This bill is a start in the right direction in
reversing this trend. We owe our veterans much more than we have been
giving them.
If it becomes law, the Veterans and Dependents Millennium Education
Act, would increase the current Montgomery GI Bill benefit from $536 to
$600 a month on October 1, 2000 for full time students and to $720 on
October 1, 2000. There would also be proportional increases for part-
time students, as well.
The bill would also increase survivors' and dependents' educational
assistance benefits for full-time students from $485 to $600 a month
starting October 1, 2000 and to $720 a month on October 1, 2000. It
would also permit the award of survivors' and dependents' educational
assistance payments to be retroactive to the date of the service-
connected death or award of 100 percent disability rating.
Mr. Speaker, I look forward to the many Virgin Islands veterans being
able to take advantage of the increased benefits offered by this bill
to further their education. In today's world where a high premium is
placed on our workforce being highly skilled, this bill makes such
training and higher education more affordable to our veterans.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, today I am proud to be an
original sponsor of the Veterans and Dependents Millennium Education
Act [H.R. 4268]. the chairman and ranking members of the Veterans'
Affairs Committee, and others, have worked tirelessly to craft this
important bill in a collaborative and bipartisan fashion.
Passage of the Veterans and Dependents Millennium Education Act will
benefit more than 500,000 people immediately, and its increase of
Montgomery G.I. Bill [MGIB] benefits will go a long way toward
recruiting--and retaining--more young Americans to serve our country in
uniform. Mr. Speaker, as we prepare to honor those who have died in
service to our country on Memorial Day, we must also remember our
obligation to help those who continue to defend our country. Increasing
education benefits for those who have responded to the call of duty is
the least we can do. Under this legislation, Montgomery G.I. Bill
benefits for full-time students will rise from $536 to $600 per month
on October 1, 2000, and to $720 per month on October 1, 2002. The bill
also authorizes proportional increases for part-time students.
Similarly, H.R. 4268 increases survivors' and dependents' educational
assistance for full-time students from $485 to $600 per month at the
start of fiscal year 2001, and to $720 per month at the beginning of
fiscal year 2003. Importantly, today's bill makes these benefits
retroactive to the date of the veteran's service-connected death or 100
percent service-connected disability rating. It is worth noting that
H.R. 4268 also provides an annual cost-of-living adjustment for
survivors' and dependents' educational assistance, which is currently
available only for MGIB benefits.
The veterans and Dependents Millennium Education Act also fills an
important gap in our military's education assistance program for some
137,000 active duty personnel. For these service men and women who
either turned down an earlier opportunity to convert to the Montgomery
G.I. bill program, or who have no funds in their Vietnam-Era Veterans'
Education Assistance Program [VEAP] account--the educational assistance
program in place before MGIB--a payment of $2,700 enables them to
receive full MGIB benefits. This important provision will be a major
help to many senior non-commissioned officers who, after leaving the
service, often attend college part time while working.
Finally, H.R. 4268 accommodates students who attend a college or
university that has extended breaks, by permitting MGIB or similar
benefits to be paid between intervals of up to 8 weeks. The Veterans
and Dependents Millennium Education Act provides added flexibility by
permitting these benefits to be used for civilian occupational
licensing or a certification examination.
I would like to point out that the legislation which we are
considering today is deficit-neutral. By reauthorizing programs already
in place that either save or generate revenue--such as the VA home loan
fee of \3/4\ of 1 percent--we can provide these improved benefits to
veterans and their families. I urge my colleagues to support the
Veterans and Dependents Millennium Education Act.
Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Barrett of Nebraska). The question is on
the motion offered by the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Stump) that the
House suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill, S. 1402, as amended.
The question was taken.
Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
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