[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 62 (Thursday, May 12, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5108-S5109]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. DURBIN:
  S. 1019. A bill to amend titles 10 and 38, United States Code, to 
increase benefits for members of the Armed Forces who, after September 
11, 2001, serve on active duty outside the United States or its 
territories or possessions as part of a contingency operation 
(including a humanitarian operation, peacekeeping operation, or similar 
operation) or a

[[Page S5109]]

combat operation; to the Committee on Finance.
  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Welcome Home 
G.I. Bill. Similar to the GI Bill for soldiers returning from World War 
II, this Welcome Home G.I Bill establishes a program of benefits 
designed to reward returning veterans and ease their transition into 
civilian life.
  These benefits would be available to troops who deployed for six 
months or more outside the United States for combat, contingency, 
peacekeeping or humanitarian operations after September 11, 2001. The 
bill also covers troops who do not meet the six-month service 
requirement because they were discharged earlier for medical or 
hardship reasons.
  This bill provides our returning heroes with improved health care, 
education and job training assistance, and help with a down-payment on 
a home.
  Returning troops deserve better health care coverage. Currently, upon 
separating from the military, active duty service members receive six 
months of healthcare coverage as a ``transition'' benefit and 
thereafter may enroll for an additional 18 months under the Continued 
Health Care Benefit Program provided they pay required premiums. 
Reservists released from active duty can pay premiums to obtain a year 
of coverage for every three months they were mobilized.
  Under the Welcome Home G.I. Bill, a returning veteran who is unable 
to secure health care coverage from an employer would be entitled to 
exactly the same medical care they received while in the service. 
Veterans would be entitled to this benefit for up to five years.
  Our troops also deserve better medical screening before and after 
deployments. Current law establishes a system of pre-deployment and 
post-deployment medical examinations, including an assessment of mental 
health and the drawing of blood samples, to accurately record the 
medical condition of members before and after their deployment.
  The Welcome Home G.I. bill improves the quality of pre-deployment and 
post-deployment medical screening by requiring that the pre-deployment 
exam include disease screening and the collection of clinical data such 
as vital signs, immunization history and past physical or mental health 
conditions. It also requires post-deployment medical screening to 
include a self-administered survey in which the service member may 
report information about any relevant exposures during the period of 
deployment. These provisions will help identify war-related ailments so 
the information will be available to answer any future questions about 
the ailment's connection to military service.
  Returning warriors need access to educational opportunities that can 
enhance their employment prospects in civilian life after they depart 
military service. Currently active duty troops have the option of 
enrolling in the Montgomery G.I. Bill education benefits program, under 
which the service member contributes $100 per month for 12 months while 
in service and then later may receive up to $1,004 per month in 
education benefits for up to 36 months. Currently, mobilized reservists 
receive some portion of the active duty benefit depending on the length 
of their activation. Under the Welcome Home G.I. Bill, our Iraq and 
Afghanistan veterans both active duty and mobilized reserve component 
troops would receive education or job training benefits worth a maximum 
of $75,000 over 48 months. So this bill basically adds a little more 
than $500 per month to the current benefit and extends it for an extra 
year. The benefit could also be used to repay student loans. In 
addition, qualifying troops who previously enrolled in the Montgomery 
G.I. Bill program would have their contribution refunded.
  Finally, the Welcome Home G.I. Bill helps our returning veterans 
realize the American dream of owning their own home. For a 5-year 
period after completion of their qualifying service, returning veterans 
may receive a tax-free $5,000 down payment for the first-time purchase 
of a home.
  Our veterans who have endured the burdens of war, under the most 
trying conditions, at tremendous personal risk and sacrifice, deserve 
more than they are currently provided by this Nation upon their return. 
They deserve the improved health care, education and job training, and 
home-ownership assistance which this bill provides. I invite my 
colleagues to join me in supporting this bill.
                                 ______