[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 83 (Monday, May 16, 2022)]
[House]
[Page H5000]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




PAYMENT OF VA EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE VIA ELECTRONIC FUND TRANSFER TO A 
                FOREIGN INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION

  Mr. TRONE. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 7375) to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to update 
the payment system of the Department of Veterans Affairs to allow for 
electronic fund transfer of educational assistance, administered by the 
Secretary, to a foreign institution of higher education.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 7375

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. PAYMENT OF VA EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE VIA 
                   ELECTRONIC FUND TRANSFER TO A FOREIGN 
                   INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION.

       Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall update the 
     payment system of the Department of Veterans Affairs to allow 
     for electronic fund transfer of educational assistance, 
     administered by the Secretary, to a foreign institution of 
     higher education that--
       (1) provides an approved course of education to an eligible 
     recipient of such assistance; and
       (2) does not have--
       (A) an employer identification number; or
       (B) an account with a domestic bank.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Maryland (Mr. Trone) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Bost) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Maryland.


                             General Leave

  Mr. TRONE. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks 
and to insert extraneous material on H.R. 7375.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Maryland?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. TRONE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7375, introduced by 
Representative Mikie Sherrill.
  This legislation directs VA to finally update its student payment 
systems to allow for educational assistance funds to be transmitted 
electronically to a foreign institution of higher education, as long as 
the institution is providing an approved course of study. Our committee 
has heard from students and schools about the impact of VA's inability 
to modernize its systems for student payments.
  The bill has bipartisan support as well from Disabled American 
Veterans, Student Veterans of America, Veterans Education Success, and 
the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
  Madam Speaker, Representative Sherrill's legislation is a response to 
strong advocacy for our student veterans studying abroad who are often 
unsure how their benefits will translate overseas.
  Madam Speaker, I thank her for offering this legislation, I urge 
support and passage, and I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 7375, a bill that 
would streamline the payment of GI Bill benefits.
  Specifically, the bill would require that, within 90 days of 
enactment, VA update the electronic fund transfer system for education 
benefits. Without this change, an overseas school is required to 
maintain a U.S.-based bank account so that VA can electronically 
transfer payments for VA beneficiaries who attend their institution. 
This requirement has kept some schools from participating in the GI 
Bill. This leads to fewer educational choices for our veterans.
  I am pleased that this bill would address this issue and expand 
opportunities for veterans to use their hard-earned education benefits.
  Madam Speaker, I encourage all of my colleagues to support H.R. 7375, 
and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. TRONE. Madam Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in 
passing H.R. 7375, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Trone) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 7375.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. BISHOP of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the 
yeas and nays.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 3(s) of House Resolution 
8, the yeas and nays are ordered.
  Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this motion 
are postponed.

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