We are proud to give our enthusiastic support to the bipartisan Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act of 2021. For years, members of the National Guard and Reserve Component have been disadvantaged and overlooked in the accumulation of their education benefits while performing the same or similar service as their Active Duty counterparts.
This inequity has become clearer and more severe during the pandemic caused by Covid-19. “Members of the National Guard and Reserve Component have risked their lives on the front lines of this pandemic, administering aid and protecting the Capitol on a training status,” said VEP Legislative Director Donald Franklin. “These brave men and women are long overdue the benefits befitting their service.”
The Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act of 2021 will ensure the men and women of the National Guard are entitled to GI Bill education benefits when activated for service, just like their Active Duty counterparts.
“The men and women who serve in the Guard and Reserve make incredible sacrifices for our country just like other Servicemembers, and they deserve equal benefits for doing similar jobs and facing similar risks,” said Rep. Levin, Vice Chair of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. “This bill will bring some basic fairness to the way GI Bill benefits are earned and provide Guard and Reserve members with the benefits they deserve. I deeply appreciate the partnership of The Veterans Education Project and others on this important legislation, and I look forward to advancing the bill on behalf of the Guard and Reserve members who have sacrificed for our country.”
We applaud House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Vice Chair Mike Levin (D-CA) and Chair Mark Takano (D-CA) for the reintroduction of this bipartisan legislation with Representatives Steven Palazzo (R-MS) and Nancy Mace (R-SC), and thank them for their service and advocacy for our nation’s Student Veterans. We call upon every member on Capitol Hill to pass this bill without delay!
