Issue link: http://gijobsdigimag.epubxp.com/i/884421
26 G.I. JOBS | OCTOBER 2017 | GIJOBS.COM CRUISING THROUGH CONGRESS Congress passed the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017 (H.R.3218) with surprising speed, clearing both chambers and getting the president's signature in just 35 days. The creation of the bill – the effort of a coalition of Veterans Service Organizations and military associations – took much longer and was nearly derailed by the $3 billion price tag. Introduced in U.S. House of Representatives Bills and resolutions are referred to committees that debate the bill before possibly sending it on to the whole chamber. Ordered Reported A committee voted to issue a report to the full chamber recommending that the bill be considered further. Only about 1 in 4 bills are reported out of committee. On House Schedule The House indicated that this bill would be considered in the week ahead. JUL 13, 2017 Reported by House Committee on Veterans' Affairs A committee issued a report on the bill, which often provides helpful explanatory background on the issue addressed by the bill and the bill's intentions. JUL 24, 2017 JUL 19, 2017 Passed Senate The bill was passed by both chambers in identical form. It goes to the president next, who may sign or veto the bill. The vote was by unanimous consent so no record of individual votes was made. AUG 2, 2017 JUL 20, 2017 Enacted — Signed by the President The president signed the bill and it became law. AUG 16, 2017 Passed House (Senate next) The bill was passed in a 405-0 vote in the House. It goes to the Senate next. JUL 24, 2017 4) YELLOW RIBBON EXPANDS Beginning Aug. 1, 2018, recipients of the Fry Scholar- ship and Purple Heart can use the Yellow Ribbon Program. The Yellow Ribbon Program pays the dif- ference between the cost of tuition at a state school and a private school. The difference is split between the VA and the participating school. Beginning Aug. 1, 2022, active duty service mem- bers will be eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program as well. 5) LOST BENEFITS RESTORED Student veterans who lose their GI Bill benefits when their school suddenly closes will get them back under the Forever GI Bill. The provision applies to closures after Jan. 1, 2015, so it retroactively restores benefits for thousands of student veterans who lost GI Bill benefits when several school chains closed in 2015 and 2016. It's a provision the SVA championed. "In addition to removing the arbitrary time limit for use, the Forever GI Bill also restores benefits and pro- vides relief to student veterans who attended a school that abruptly closed," said Barrett Bogue, the SVA's vice president for public relations and chapter engagement. "SVA looks forward to working with our partners in Congress and the veteran community to further improve student veteran protections and transparency."