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SUPPORT OUR VETERANS Dear Democratic Colleague: On Tuesday, May 23rd the House is expected to consider H.R. 4268, the Veterans and Dependents Millenium Education Act. (The bill will come up on the suspension calendar as S. 1402 and will be amended with the language of H.R. 4268.) I urge you to support H.R. 4268 and improve veterans’ education benefits available to our nation’s veterans under the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB). This measure was approved by a unanimous 21-0 vote in committee and I fully expect the House will overwhelmingly approve this legislation to increase the MGIB basic monthly benefit and make other improvements to this important veterans’ readjustment program.Educational benefits under the MGIB have traditionally provided a meaningful readjustment benefit and an effective recruitment incentive for the men and women of America’s Armed Forces. Since implementation of the MGIB on July 1, 1985, there have been significant economic and societal changes in America that mandate revisions in the structure and benefit level of this program. Notably, the value of veterans’ education benefits has failed to keep up with the spiraling costs of higher education.H.R. 4268 is a carefully crafted, bipartisan bill. In compliance with pay-go, H.R. 4268 is fully funded by budget-neutral savings. H.R. 4268 would increase the basic MGIB benefit from $536 to $600 per month for full-time study, effective October 1, 2000. The basic MGIB benefit would increase again from $600 to $720 per month, effective October 1, 2002. In addition, H.R. 4268 would:
For your information, I am enclosing a draft of the news release I intend to issue following House approval of H.R. 4268. Additional background material is available should you need more information. Please contact Todd Houchins with the Committee staff at 5-9756. Support America’s Armed Forces and its veterans. Vote "yes" on H.R. 4268.
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