Reps Barr and Levin Partner on Bipartisan Bill to Restore Education Benefits to Veterans

Press Release

Today, U.S. Representatives Andy Barr (R-KY) and Mike Levin (D-CA) introduced bipartisan legislation to extend the amount of time certain veterans can utilize their GI Bill education benefits. Earlier this year, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) restored GI Bill entitlements for veterans who previously used Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) benefits. However, the VA did not extend the expiration date for these benefits, meaning some veterans received more months of GI Bill entitlements than they had time to use before the expiration date.

To resolve this discrepancy, Rep. Barr and Rep. Levin are leading the More Opportunities for Veterans Education (MOVE) Act. This legislation will provide eligible veterans with sufficient time to use their restored GI Bill benefits by extending their expiration dates and requiring the VA to notify all veterans affected.

"We must ensure that veterans who served our country have access to the entirety of their education benefits earned through the Post 9/11 GI Bill," said Rep. Barr. "Our bill is a straightforward legislative fix to achieve just that. This legislation will help veterans obtain skills, training and educational benefits to further their post-service success. It is great to partner with Representative Levin on this bill, and I will keep working to get his bipartisan bill signed into law."

"I'm glad the VA restored GI Bill entitlements for many veterans who have taken advantage of Veteran Readiness and Employment benefits, but we must extend the expiration date to use those benefits so eligible veterans can take full advantage of them," said Rep. Levin. "I've heard of veterans at Saddleback College and other local institutions who need this extension to make the most of their restored GI Bill benefits, and I'm proud to introduce this legislation on their behalf. I appreciate Congressman Barr's partnership on this commonsense bill and I'm hopeful we can advance it through the House soon."

Source