Press Release

November 5, 2013
Cardin, Inhofe Introduce Bill To Extend Veterans Advisory Committee On Education

WASHINGTON, DC- U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), this week introduced the bipartisan Veterans’ Advisory Committee on Education Improvement Act of 2013 (S. 1643). The bill would reauthorize the Veterans’ Advisory Committee on Education for two years and extend the committee’s composition and reach to include veterans from post-9/11 operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

 

“A true marker of our nation’s worth is our willingness to serve those who have served us,” said Senator Cardin. “As we wind down our commitments in Afghanistan after a decade of war, we need to gear up our commitment to our veterans.  I’m proud to join with Senator Inhofe on this legislation that will ensure that the brave men and women who serve our country in the armed services receive the most effective education and training opportunities available. Our veterans deserve every possible tool to help ease their transition to civilian life.”

 

“The Veterans’ Advisory Committee helps to ensure men and women who have worn the uniform receive the educational benefits they have been promised and earned,” said Senator Inhofe. “Too often the men and women returning from overseas face difficult challenges when transitioning into civilian life. This legislation will help veterans by strengthening the opportunities for educational and job-training assistance promised under the G.I. Bill. I am proud to work with Senator Cardin in this effort and hope my colleagues will quickly pass this legislation in the Senate.”

 

The current authorization for the Veterans’ Advisory Committee will expire on December 31, 2013. The Veterans’ Advisory Committee on Education Improvement Act of 2013 would reauthorize the Committee through December 31, 2015. The Committee exists to advise the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) on current VA education programs and services; to recommend new education benefit programs and services for veterans; and to assist in the long-term planning and development of those programs.

 

On October 28, by a 404-2 vote, the House of Representatives passed its version of the Veterans’ Advisory Committee on Education Act of 2013 (H.R. 2011), which was introduced by Congressman John Delaney (D-MD-6).

 

 

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