[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 82 (Tuesday, May 24, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S3116]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

  SA 4122. Mr. BLUMENTHAL submitted an amendment intended to be 
proposed by him to the bill S. 2943, to authorize appropriations for 
fiscal year 2017 for military activities of the Department of Defense, 
for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department 
of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal 
year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as 
follows:

       At the end of subtitle E of title V, add the following:

     SEC. 565. MANDATORY PARTICIPATION IN ACCESSING HIGHER 
                   EDUCATION ELEMENT OF TRANSITION ASSISTANCE 
                   PROGRAM FOR MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES 
                   INTENDING TO USE VETERANS EDUCATION BENEFITS 
                   AFTER MILITARY SERVICE.

       (a) In General.--Each member of the Armed Forces who 
     notifies the Secretary having jurisdiction over such member 
     of an intention to use educational benefits available through 
     the Department of Veterans Affairs (including educational 
     benefits under chapter 30 or 33 of title 38, United States 
     Code) after discharge, separation, or release from the Armed 
     Forces shall be required to participate in the Accessing 
     Higher Education element of the Transition Assistance Program 
     (TAP) of the Department of Defense.
       (b) Timing of Participation.--A member required to 
     participate in the Accessing Higher Education element of the 
     Transition Assistance Program pursuant to subsection (a) 
     shall complete participation in the element not later than 
     one year before the scheduled date of the member's discharge, 
     separation, or release from the Armed Forces.
       (c) Notification Procedures.--Members shall make 
     notifications for purposes of subsection (a) in accordance 
     with such procedures as each Secretary of a military 
     department, and the Secretary of Homeland Security with 
     respect to the Coast Guard, shall establish for such 
     purposes.
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