[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 49 (Wednesday, April 6, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E651]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 RESTORING GI BILL FAIRNESS ACT OF 2011

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                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 6, 2011

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, today, I have introduced the 
Restoring GI Bill Fairness Act of 2011.
  This bill will temporarily authorize the Department of Veterans 
Affairs, VA, to pay tuition and fees on behalf of eligible veterans 
attending non-public education and training institutions in an amount 
that is the greater of $17,500, or the maximum in-state rate for 
undergraduate tuition and fees in effect on October 27, 2010.
  Mr. Speaker, this temporary change would prevent students who have 
already enrolled in non-public schools from experiencing a reduction in 
tuition and fees paid by VA on their behalf due to changes made under 
Public Law 111-377, the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance 
Improvements Act of 2010.
  Under the original Post 9/11 GI Bill passed in 2008, the maximum 
tuition and fees paid to any school--public or private--was equal to 
the highest in-state rate for undergraduate tuition and fees. Most 
students attending private institutions in a few states with high 
public school tuition and fees like New York, Michigan, and Texas 
receive more assistance under the state-based formula than they will 
beginning next August under the $17,500 per year cap required by Public 
Law 111-377. Such was the expectation of those who enrolled in private 
schools before the changes were made. I believe it is only fair to 
``grandfather'' those veterans who, through no fault of their own, were 
adversely affected.
  I am pleased to note that this bill is fully paid for in compliance 
with House rules. The offsets required by this bill are preliminarily 
estimated to be about $105 million and will be covered by a temporary, 
short-term freeze in the monthly Post 9/11 GI Bill housing stipend 
amounts at the current level for a period of 30 months beginning August 
1, 2011. After that period, the monthly housing stipend will be 
restored to the full rate in effect at that time.
  Mr. Speaker this is a temporary, but important fix to the GI Bill 
that will benefit hundreds of veterans in several states and I 
encourage all Members to cosponsor the bill.

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