FOR RELEASE: September 28, 2000

Washington, D.C. – Representatives Lane Evans, D-Ill, and John D. Dingell, D-Mich., today led an effort urging President Clinton to restore the purchasing power to the education benefits received by the men and women who serve this nation in uniform. More than 120 members of the U.S. House of Representatives joined Evans and Dingell, both of whom used GI Bill benefits to further their education, in this call for action on behalf of the service men and women.

"The recruiting problems our Armed Services have experienced reflect the diminished purchasing power of the Montgomery GI Bill," Evans said. "Most of us who are veterans grew up looking for ways to serve our country. Whether you were entering military service for a few years before going on to a civilian job or school or whether you were beginning a career in the military, wearing the uniform was a rewarding investment in your future. That ethic is disappearing, and it's time we did something to restore it."

In 1985, Congress passed the MGIB with two major policy goals in mind. For years, the MGIB was enormously successful in providing a meaningful readjustment benefit to discharged servicemembers while also giving military recruiters an effective tool to support the concept of an all-volunteer force. However, today’s MGIB isn’t achieving either of these goals to the best of its abilities.

"If America’s veterans are to compete in a 21^st Century workforce, they must have the ability to obtain the education and training critical to succeed," Dingell said. "Although the current benefit under the MGIB provides a limited degree of educational assistance, we believe every possible door of educational opportunity must be opened to our veterans and active duty service members."

Military recruiters from all service branches are facing serious challenges in meeting their manpower objectives. In addition, the College Board’s most recent statistics report average annual tuition and fees for attending a four-year public college are $8,774 for commuter students and $10,909 for students who live on campus. The annual cost for four-year private institutions is $20,500 and $23,651 respectively. With the current basic MGIB benefit of $4,824 for a school year, however, a veteran is expected to pay for tuition, fees, and room and board. The disparity between these ever-increasing costs and a veteran’s ability to pay for them is clear.

__________________________________________________

To view letter

Back to Press Releases