[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 14 (Thursday, February 14, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E153]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E153]]


            INCREASING FUNDING FOR STATE APPROVING AGENCIES

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 13, 2002

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, as Chairman of the Committee on 
Veterans' Affairs, today I am introducing on behalf of Mr. Evans, Mr. 
Simpson, Mr. Reyes, Mr. Filner, Mr. Baker, Mr. Pickering, Mr. Shows, 
Mr. King, Mr. Sanders, Mr. Baldacci, Ms. Carson, Mr. Reynolds, and Mr. 
Moore, a bill to increase funding, for State Approving Agencies (SAAs).
  Some of my colleagues are familiar with the work of SAAS, but for 
those who are not, these vital institutions review and evaluate for 
approval in each state, programs of education that are offered by 
educational institutions under the Montgomery GI Bill and three other 
VA veterans' educational assistance programs. SAAs usually operate 
through state departments of education or postsecondary education 
commissions. SAAs also approve employer sponsored on-job training and 
apprenticeship programs, some through state departments of labor.
  The need to increase funding for SAAs primarily reflects the new SAA 
duties in occupational licensing and credentialing and veteran, 
servicemember and employer outreach in each state.
  In recent years, Congress has increased SAA responsibilities, most 
recently through enactment of Public Law 107-103, the Veterans 
Education and Benefits Expansion Act of 2001. This landmark legislation 
increased the basic MGIB benefit by 19 percent in January 2002 to $800 
per month from $672. It will also increase 30 percent in October 2003 
and 39 percent in October 2004 when the benefit again increases to $900 
and $985, respectively.
  But as important as these enacted increases for the MGIB benefits 
are, our veterans will not be able to take full advantage of the 
improved educational opportunities unless the SAAs are given the 
resources necessary to certify high-quality educational programs.
  From fiscal years 1995 to 2000, SAA funding was ``capped''--without 
an annual increase--at $13 million. In Public Law 106-419, enacted on 
November 1, 2000, Congress increased SAA funding to $14 million, but 
only for fiscal years 2001 and 2002. If Congress does not act, in 
fiscal year 2003 the SAA budget reverts back to the $13 million level. 
In effect, our inaction would return SAAs to the FY 1995 funding level, 
and they would be unable to guarantee our nation's veterans that their 
hard-earned MGIB benefits will be safeguarded against scam-artists and 
flimsy programs that seek to exploit veterans.
  Indeed, since World War II Congress has relied on SAAs to ensure the 
quality of the education and training offered to our Nation's veterans 
and to protect the integrity of VA education programs popularly known 
as the ``GI Bill.'' My proposal simply increases SAA annual funding 
from $14 million to $18 million, with a three percent increase the 
following two years, in order to provide SAAs with the resources 
necessary to fulfill their responsibilities.
  I strongly urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

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