[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 162 (Thursday, November 14, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8054-S8055]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. KAINE (for himself and Mr. Chambliss):
  S. 1717. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve 
oversight of educational assistance provided under laws administered by 
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Defense, and for 
other purposes; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
  Mr. KAINE. Mr. President, today I am introducing the Servicemember 
Education Reform and Vocational Act of 2013, SERVE. I am pleased 
Senator Chambliss joins me in introducing this bill. This bipartisan 
legislation will improve the quality of education for our veterans and 
military members.
  To date, over one million veterans have taken advantage of the Post-
9/11 GI Bill and $30 billion has been invested. Yet graduation rates 
remain a concern and the unemployment rate among veterans, especially 
young veterans who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan, remains higher 
than the national average.
  As the United States begins to draw down its forces after more than a 
decade at war, it is more important than ever to demonstrate our 
commitment to the brave men and women who have served and sacrificed to 
protect our Nation. An important part of this commitment is ensuring 
our Nation's veterans are prepared for their transition from military 
service to civilian life.
  In Virginia, one in every nine individuals is a veteran, and we have 
27 installations across the State, making Virginia as connected to the 
military as any State in the country.
  As I have travelled throughout Virginia and have had the opportunity 
to meet with servicemembers, veterans, and their families, I have 
listened to their concerns and ideas. These conversations have 
reinforced my commitment to fight persistent barriers to veterans' 
employment, and ensure that veterans have access to quality education 
programs that yield results.
  For these reasons, it is our responsibility to ensure that the 
Nation's investment in veteran education and training yields successful 
results and gives these men and women the tools they need to succeed in 
the workforce.
  I am a strong believer that education is the best investment that any 
country can make to ensure the success of its citizens. This is why my 
first bill, the TROOP Talent Act, focused on assisting our 
servicemembers and veterans in their efforts to gain civilian 
credentials and transition into the workforce.
  The bill I am introducing today, the SERVE Act, is companion 
legislation that will raise the bar on minimum standards that 
educational institutions

[[Page S8055]]

must meet to ensure servicemembers are getting a quality education.
  The bill will require institutions to disclose information such as 
graduation rates, withdrawal policies, and program costs to students 
and ensure programs fully deliver what they advertise.
  The bill will require institutions to provide access to academic and/
or career counseling for military and veteran students in hopes of not 
only improving their chances of graduating, but also helping prepare 
them for future careers.
  The bill will facilitate the use of VA and DoD educational benefits 
for employment training programs by creating a 5-State pilot program. 
States will be charged with developing best practices needed to ensure 
that quality employment training, apprenticeship, and on-the-job 
training programs are available and accessible for beneficiaries of the 
post-9/11 GI Bill program.
  The bill will require an annual report to relevant Senate and House 
Committees with disaggregated information on which schools and programs 
veteran and military students are putting their educational benefits 
toward.
  Today's veterans have been referred to as ``the next Greatest 
Generation.'' They answered the call to serve our Nation.
  They have put it all on the line and invested heavily and personally 
in the future of our country. Let us do everything we can to capitalize 
on their experience and character and prepare them for the challenges 
they and our Nation will face in the future.
  The SERVE Act will ensure that the educational benefits our veterans 
and military members earned are being spent on quality education.

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