It looks like House Republicans and Democrats have come together for at least one issue, the biggest expansion in college aid for veterans in over a decade.
The bill was announced early on Thursday and will fill holes created by the post-9/11 GI Bill. It will also remove the 15-year time limit veterans have to tap into their benefits and attend a state or public college with a full scholarship. Additionally, veterans will receive benefits if they enroll and complete courses in the fields of science, engineering, technology, or math.
“It’s really about training the workforce in a post-9/11 GI Bill world,” Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Cali.) told The Associated Press. “Veterans are being locked out of a whole new economy.”
A full vote is expected to take place sometime later in July and Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) may be introducing the Senate version later on in the year with the support of some Democrats like Sen. John Tester (D-Mont.).
Benefits would start next year and many veterans welcome the news. A significant amount of vets have delayed enrolling in college, especially those suffering from physical or psychological ailments caused by war.
