Trone, Murphy, Axne Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Streamline GI Bill Benefits

Statement

Today,Reps. David Trone (D-MD), Greg Murphy, M.D. (R-NC), and Cindy Axne (D-IA) introduced H.R. 6458, a bipartisan bill to eliminate red tape and make it easier for dependents to retain transferred Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits.

"Currently, the education benefits of a veteran inherited by their dependents can be revoked over the slightest mistake on the paperwork. After serving our country honorably, this is the last thing our veterans and their families should worry about," said Rep. Trone. "This bill provides a simple yet vital fix to ensure veteran families receive the benefits they so rightly deserve. It's the least we can do to help make life easier for our veteran community."

"As the proud representative of more than 89,000 veterans in Eastern North Carolina, I am honored to co-lead this bipartisan legislation to streamline GI Bill benefits for dependents," said Rep. Murphy. "Under current law, if a servicemember accidentally makes a mistake on their paperwork, such as indicating an expiration date for the benefits, and the service member passes away before the benefits are used, there is no way for the paperwork to be changed to allow the dependent to use the benefits. Our commonsense, bipartisan bill will clarify existing law and ensure that clerical errors do not prevent dependents from receiving well-earned educational assistance. Paperwork errors should never impede a Gold Star Family's ability to obtain the benefits they deserve."

"Our veterans earned their benefits with honorable military service, including the benefit to transfer education assistance to their children and dependents. However, red tape and paperwork have prevented some from being able to receive these benefits after losing a parent," said Rep. Axne. "Losing a parent is one of the most difficult things in the world, and we shouldn't be making that tough time harder by not honoring the wishes of a veteran or servicemember who've asked to see their benefits pass to their children. I'm proud to co-lead this commonsense solution that will cut red tape and ensure bureaucracy doesn't make a tough loss harder for our military families."

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