April 15, 2016 The committee advanced legislation for adequate cost-of-living adjustments for veterans; more funding for veterans earning post-secondary degrees in the Science, Technology, Engineer, Mathematics (STEM) fields; funding for childcare services for student veterans; and ensuring Medal of Honor recipients will continue to have the option of being buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
April 15, 2016
Contact: Kyle Roerink
Phone: (202) 657-3219
This week the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs held legislative hearings on four bills authored by Dina Titus, a member of the Committee. The legislation ensures adequate cost-of-living adjustments for veterans; more funding for veterans earning post-secondary degrees in the Science, Technology, Engineer, Mathematics (STEM) fields; funding for childcare services for student veterans; and ensuring Medal of Honor recipients will continue to have the option of being buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
“Our veterans and their families are an integral part of this country’s foundation and we must make sure they have every opportunity to succeed when they take off the uniform and return to civilian life. These bills recognize the impact our veterans and their families will continue to have on this country.”
The bill directs the Department of Veterans’ Affairs to provide cost-of-living adjustments for veterans' disability compensation, dependent compensation, clothing allowances for certain disabled veterans, and dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children. Each increase will be the same rate as those received by Social Security recipients this year.
H.R. 748: GI Bill STEM Extension Act of 2015
Authorizes VA Secretary to pay up to nine months of additional education assistance to a veteran who enrolled in a postsecondary education program that requires more than the standard 128 semester (or 192 quarter) credit hours for completion in a specified Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) field.
H.R. 3419: Support for Student Veterans with Families Act
Authorizes the VA to make up to 50 grants in FY2016 to eligible educational institutions to provide child care services on campus for student veterans. The funds can be used by schools to fund spots in existing childcare facilities, build new facilities, or to facilitate care close to campus for the children of student veterans.
Medal of Honor Legacy Act
The bill will reserve 1,000 plots at Arlington National Cemetery for Medal of Honor recipients.
