UDALL BACKS 21ST CENTURY GI BILL TO STRENGTHEN MILITARY AND ECONOMY

WASHINGTON - U.S. Representative Tom Udall, D-N.M., has joined with other House Republicans and Democrats to introduce the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act, legislation to offer 1.7 million troops who served in Iraq and Afghanistan educational benefits on par with those provided to veterans of the World War II era.

"After World War II America built the strongest economy our country had ever known by investing in our veterans," said Udall. "Our new generations of homecoming veterans deserve the same strong commitment. By restoring the promise of the GI Bill to pay for a full four-year college education, this legislation would strengthen our military and build a foundation for lasting prosperity."

The new, Udall-backed GI Bill would extend veterans the benefits to cover the costs of a four-year education up to the level of the most expensive in-state public school. This would include a stipend for housing, books and other expenses. Currently, veterans' education benefits cover only about 60 percent of the cost of a public-school education.

Under the legislation, any servicemember who has served three months active duty since September 11, 2001, is eligible for benefits, and any servicemember who has served at least three years will receive the full benefit package. Those who end their service before three years due to an injury may also qualify for full benefits. All branches of the military would be eligible, including members of the National Guard and Reserve.

The new, Udall-backed GI Bill is supported by all major veterans' organizations, including the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.

The original GI Bill made a free college education available to more than 15 million war veterans following World War II. By 1956, about 8 million World War II veterans had taken advantage of the first GI Bill's education and job training benefits. Every dollar spent on the original GI Bill created a seven dollar return for the economy.

Udall served eight years on the House Committee on Veterans Affairs before being appointed to the House Appropriations Committee in 2007. He has sponsored or cosponsored more than 25 pieces of legislation to benefit veterans in the 110th Congress.