GI Bill expansion proposition has passed the Senate

EvilCouch · Post by **EvilCouch** » May 22nd, 2008, 6:57 pm

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Senate today approved Sen. Jim Webb's GI Bill, giving troops returing from war a free college education.

The 75-22 vote was a symbolic victory for the freshman Democratic senator from Virginia, who had made the GI Bill a centpiece of his 2006 election campaign. But the victory might be short-lived, because the measure is attached to an Iraq War spending bill that President Bush has threatened to veto in its current form.

Full story

EvilCouch · Post by **EvilCouch** » May 22nd, 2008, 7:13 pm

The House had a similar proposal last week that passed 256 to 166. They expect it to take a week or so to hammer out the differences between the two bills and pass it. Bush has threatened to veto the bill, citing concerns about the bill's effect on retention.

On to the actual fun part of the proposal. The bill:
*Extends the time limit on the GI Bill from 10 years after separation to 15 years.
*Changes the coverage from ~1,000 per month to the full cost of tuition, up to the cost of most expensive public university in the state.
*Gives the veteran BAH at the rate of a married E-5.
*Give a yearly stipend for books and fees of $1,000

The full benefit of this bill only applies to veterans that have served 36 months, since September 11th.

Senate bill S.22

Horned Toad · Post by **Horned Toad** » May 22nd, 2008, 7:55 pm

Hmmm I will have to read that, would be nice if they made that retro active, I actually have stuff I want to use my GI Bill for now. Me and higher learning didnâ€™t get along to well.

Silverback · Post by **Silverback** » May 23rd, 2008, 7:39 am

I have heard some opinions that this bill over-reaches and it is too expensive. I do not claim to be an expert on interpreting legislation, but it appears that this bill's main focus is on forcing legislators to "Choose a side" and then their choice will become political ammunition. Although some of us would benefit from this package, are we willing to spend our children's money to do it?

JarHedSolja · Post by **JarHedSolja** » May 23rd, 2008, 5:07 pm

I haven't read anything about what this is going to do to Ch 1606 or Ch 1607 of the GI Bill. Only mention of active duty....

EvilCouch · Post by **EvilCouch** » May 23rd, 2008, 8:22 pm

JarHedSolja wrote:I haven't read anything about what this is going to do to Ch 1606 or Ch 1607 of the GI Bill. Only mention of active duty....

Sec. 3301. Definitions `In this chapter:
`(1) The term `active duty' has the meanings as follows (subject to the limitations specified in sections 3002(6) and 3311(b) of this title):
`(A) In the case of members of the regular components of the Armed Forces, the meaning given such term in section 101(21)(A) of this title.
`(B) In the case of members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces, service on active duty under a call or order to active duty under section 688, 12301(a), 12301(d), 12301(g), 12302, or 12304 of title 10.

I'd assume that means that any Guardsman or Reservist that has deployed at least once is at least somewhat covered under this.

As far as its cost, I don't know if it's really going to cost as much as they project it to. The amount of veterans taking advantage of the GI Bill is really pretty low. This overhaul should improve that number, but I don't think that all the money that they've earmarked for it will actually get spent.

It might be kind of selfish of me, but I'm starting school next month and I would very much like to see this thing get signed into law.

BruteForce · Post by **BruteForce** » May 23rd, 2008, 8:39 pm

My thought is this: If we can spend $50 billion/year on Israel, then we can spend x on our soldiers that have seen time in the box.

I think any solider (USAR, ARNG, AD) that's been deployed 36 months (or thereabouts) deserves to have their college paid for. PERIOD.

Ranger Bill · Post by **Ranger Bill** » May 24th, 2008, 6:51 am

It's about time today's veterans receive benefits similar to the veterans from WWII.

JarHedSolja · Post by **JarHedSolja** » May 24th, 2008, 9:42 am

All this GI Bill stuff takes forever to put into motion. When Ch 1607 came around, it took them 7 months to update me from 1606 to 1607. In January, they authorized the Reserve Component to be able to do the "buy-up" for $600.00, just like active duty can do, but I called all the way up to the regional office and they said DoD has given NO guidance as to how we can buy up to get the additional $150.00 per month.

Personally, I only have 13 months left of GI Bill benefits, with a total of 3 years, 10 months active duty time. I dont see this program getting into effect before the new year and most likely, won't be able to pull it off until June of next year. That's just an educated guess but as long as it takes to get your GI Bill rolling now, with a blanket sum of 254, 440, 660 or 880 a month for reserve or 1,100 for active duty... this new plan requires you to get a full amount of tuition. I think it's going to take forever to get this shit rolling. It will have to be retroactive though. I got all 6 months difference between Ch 1606 and 1607 from the date the legislation was passed after the paperwork finally went through.

Looon · Post by **Looon** » May 24th, 2008, 2:44 pm

Silverback wrote:I have heard some opinions that this bill over-reaches and it is too expensive. I do not claim to be an expert on interpreting legislation, but it appears that this bill's main focus is on forcing legislators to "Choose a side" and then their choice will become political ammunition. Although some of us would benefit from this package, are we willing to spend our children's money to do it?

Im in total agreement.

It's a beyond fucked up situation.......

Gravity Man · Post by **Gravity Man** » June 25th, 2008, 1:24 pm

Well, it looks like an agreement was made and it should go through. Kinda glad, Boston is expensive to go to school in.

http://gibill2008.org/about.html

http://news.yahoo.com/s/huffpost/200806 ... ost/108180

EvilCouch · Post by **EvilCouch** » June 25th, 2008, 6:42 pm

Today, by an overwhelming margin of 416-12, the House of Representatives voted in favor of a domestic spending provision of the war supplemental funding bill which includes a World War II-style GI Bill for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. This version of the bill was agreed upon by the House leadership and the White House in a deal brokered last night.

HOLY FUCK!

EvilCouch · Post by **EvilCouch** » June 25th, 2008, 6:49 pm

The new GI Bill will go into effect immediately. However, in order to give the VA some time to implement the proposed changes, the bill will be phased in using two stages:

Stage 1: During the 2008-2009 academic year, you will receive a monthly benefit of $1,300,an increase of $200/month from the current benefit. However, though you are not receiving the full amount of the new benefits, you are still accruing the full amount, and you will be paid the difference in August 2009.

Stage 2: In August 2009, a full implementation of the benefits.

JarHedSolja · Post by **JarHedSolja** » June 26th, 2008, 9:54 am

The retro pay is pretty nice. I run out of GI Bill benefits at the end of the 08-09 school year. :?

EvilCouch · Post by **EvilCouch** » June 26th, 2008, 3:40 pm

http://www.dailypress.com/news/dp-local ... 6507.story

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Senate is expected to give final approval tonight to Virginia Sen. Jim Webb's GI Bill, giving military veterans a free college education.

The measure already has cleared the House and President Bush has signaled his approval after months of opposition. The bill is part of a spending package to finance the Iraq war that has been cleared for a vote tonight or possibly Friday.