House Passes Bilirakis' Legislation to Improve Effectiveness of Veterans' Educational Resources

Washington, DC (September 11, 2012) – The U.S. House of Representatives today passed H.R. 4057, an initiative introduced by Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Vice-Chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, to increase the effectiveness of current veterans' educational programs.

"As we commemorate September 11 today, it is appropriate that Members of Congress help this generation of Post 9/11 veterans make informed choices about the educational benefits they have earned in service to our country," said Congressman Bilirakis. "We are committed to putting forth ideas that help veterans remain competitive in today's job market. Appropriate and effective education and training are key elements to getting veterans back to work."

H.R.4057 includes several provisions championed by Bilirakis to improve the lives of our nation's heroes. The bill expands educational resources, providing the ability of GI Bill beneficiaries to choose the school that best meets their educational needs and would require states to take military training into account in awarding licenses to work as medical technicians and other trades.

Additionally, it works to ensure that homeless veterans are cared for in a safe and secure environment and creates a burn pit registry system, allowing for more effective notification of developments in the study and treatment of conditions associated with burn pit exposure. Finally, in this difficult fiscal climate, it limits the total amount of taxpayer dollars which can be paid to senior VA employees in bonuses.

###