Action in Congress

摘要

Congress passed it. President Bush signed it. Now, the federal government has a year to get a landmark post-9/11 GI Bill functioning for the benefit of active duty members, frequently deployed Guard and Reserve members, and veterans who have had active duty service since Sept. 11, 2001. The program will be set up jointly by the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs. It could affect 2.6 million uniformed military personnel and a chunk of the nation's 30 million veterans. The program nearly doubles the value of Gl Bill education benefits for a new generation. The Bush Administration had worried that the bill would adversely affect retention. However, President Bush came on board after Congress agreed to add a $1 billion-a-year transferability feature as a new retention tool. The Post-9/11 Veterans Education Assistance Act of 2008 got the Presidential signature on June 30. The program could benefit anyone who served at least 90 consecutive days on active duty since Sept. 11, 2001. It will not take effect until Aug. 1, 2009, but the package included an immediate 20 percent increase in Montgomery GI Bill benefits to ensure that veterans and service members attending college or vocational training this fall see some instant relief from rising education costs.