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4/21/2017 8:19 am  #1


There's a plan in Congress to start charging troops for their GI Bill

There's a plan in Congress to start charging troops for their GI Bill benefits

WASHINGTON — A congressional proposal to make service members buy into their Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits surprised veterans groups on Tuesday, with advocates divided over whether it amounts to a long-term fix for the benefit or an unfair bill for veterans. 

“This new tax on troops is absurd,” said Veterans of Foreign Wars National Commander Brian Duffy in a statement. “Ensuring veterans are able to successfully transition back to civilian life after military service is a cost of war, and not a fee that Congress can just pass along to our troops.

“Congress must stop nickeling and diming America’s service members and veterans.”

The plan — draft legislation from House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Phil Roe, R-Tenn. — would deduct $2,400 from future service members’ paychecks to establish eligibility for revamped post-military education benefits. This was first reported Tuesday by Task & Purpose.

Currently, the post-9/11 GI Bill offers full tuition to a four-year state college (or the equivalent tuition payout for a private school) plus a monthly housing stipend to any service member who spends at least three years on active duty, and to reservists who are mobilized to active-duty for extended periods. Troops wounded while serving are also eligible. 

Unlike the older Montgomery GI Bill benefit, the post-9/11 GI Bill does not require any fees or pay reductions for eligibility. The new proposal would change that, taking up to $100 a month from new enlistees’ paychecks for the right to access the benefit after they leave the ranks. 

The money collected would amount to a fraction of the overall cost of the veterans education benefit. Congressional staff estimate the move would bring in about $3.1 billion over the next 10 years, while total GI Bill spending is expected to total more than $100 billion over the same decade. 

Supporters of the plan say having service members “buy in” to the benefit would strengthen it against periodic attempts by budget planners to trim veterans education benefits. Last year, veterans advocates sparred over proposed cuts to GI Bill benefits given to the children of troops, and a plan to cap some housing stipends connected to the program. 

http://www.militarytimes.com/articles/gi-bill-benefits-new-fees-future-enlistees-house-lawmakers


We live in a time in which decent and otherwise sensible people are surrendering too easily to the hectoring of morons or extremists. 
 

4/21/2017 8:31 am  #2


Re: There's a plan in Congress to start charging troops for their GI Bill

“Ensuring veterans are able to successfully transition back to civilian life after military service is a cost of war, and not a fee that Congress can just pass along to our troops."

I agree 100%

I especially like the poop Trump spews about how terribly the military veterans have been treated by past administrations.  We need to keep track of this one.
 

 

4/21/2017 10:22 am  #3


Re: There's a plan in Congress to start charging troops for their GI Bill

Well, IF we cut the taxes for the rich and corporation we need to find some REVENUE somewhere ! 


"Do not confuse motion and progress, A rocking horse keeps moving but does not make any progress"
 
 

4/21/2017 10:29 am  #4


Re: There's a plan in Congress to start charging troops for their GI Bill

I find it interesting that members of congress are trying to frame this as a method for veterans to "buy in" to the benefit. Seems to me veterans did their "buy in" by signing up and serving in the U.S. Military to protect the country's interests around the world. Sometimes putting their lives on the line for others, like these do nothing representatives. What have our legislators done to deserve their generous benefits? It takes a lot of chutzpah for the laggards we employ in the legislature for them to trim benefits for anyone -- especially veterans.

See my post about Warren Buffett's ideas about reigning in the runaway perks offered to these bozos. Send it to your friends and send it to your senators and congressman.

 

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