Congress approves emergency fix to protect GI Bill benefits as colleges go online

Rep. Phil Roe, R-Tenn., in his Capitol Hill office during an interview with Stars and Stripes in November 2019, introduced the House version of the bill. JOE GROMELSKI/STARS AND STRIPES
Rep. Phil Roe, R-Tenn., in his Capitol Hill office during an interview with Stars and Stripes in November 2019, introduced the House version of the bill. JOE GROMELSKI/STARS AND STRIPES

Congress approves emergency fix to protect GI Bill benefits as colleges go online

by Nikki Wentling
Stars and Stripes
March 19, 2020

WASHINGTON — Student veterans will continue to receive their monthly housing payments uninterrupted, despite courses going online to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Congress approved an emergency fix Thursday that would allow students to retain the amount of benefits they received when they started the semester. It gives the VA Secretary broad authority to ensure GI Bill benefits are distributed without interruption during national emergencies.

Minutes after gaveling in for a short session Thursday morning, the House approved the legislation by unanimous consent. The Senate passed the measure earlier this week, and now the bill will go to President Donald Trump’s desk for his signature.

Read more at: https://www.stripes.com/1.623011

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