Casey and Carney team up to create new GI Bill

Tens of thousands of soldiers and sailors will benefit

By TOM KANE

WASHINGTON, DC - GIs who served or are serving in Iraq or Afghanistan, please take note: Senator Robert Casey and Congressman Chris Carney are cooperating to extend educational benefits to National Guard and Reservists. The legislation will create a new GI Bill of Rights.

“This legislation will match, to a great extent, the famed GI Bill that followed World War II and gave a tremendous economic boast to the nation,” Casey said. “This legislation should have the same result on the economy.”

The legislation was included as part of the conference report for the 2008 Department of Defense Authorization Bill. The report has already passed the House and is expected to pass in the Senate within the next few days. The president has indicated that he will sign it.

“This will create the opportunity for a college education for tens of thousands of guard and reservist veterans,” Carney said. “An eligible veteran would have had to have served at least 90 days in either Iraq or Afghanistan.”

Carney, who is a lieutenant commander in the Navy Reserve, originally introduced HR 1330 in March to correct a loophole that denied guard and reservists education benefits when they leave the service or shortly thereafter.

“We never had to face this before, where the guard and reservists took on as much responsibility for the war as the regular Army and Navy,” Carney said. “With this new way of waging war, we need to include benefits for all those who fought in it.”

It is expected that this will help with recruiting efforts.

Senator Casey introduced the Senate version of the legislation in June.

The legislation gives guard and reservists up to 36 months of educational benefits that will last for 10 years from the day they are separated, Casey said.

“I fully expect the legislation to pass the Senate,” Casey said. “It would be very unwise for any Republican to oppose it if they have an ounce of self-preservation.”

Veterans will receive an estimated $700 per month for three years to spend on tuition, housing and other educational needs, amounting to somewhere near $25,000. The bill will be budgeted for about $250,000,000 over 10 years.

“You’re not going to be able to go to Harvard or Yale with that, but it will be a start to a good college education anywhere,” Casey said.

Veterans can use the benefits for a bachelors or an advanced degree.

As of this printing, the Senate had not passed the legislation.