Dear Members of the House of Representatives and Senate:

On behalf of the more than 450,000 members of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), I ask you to stand with America’s New Greatest Generation and commit to protecting one of our most important benefits: the landmark Post-9/11 GI Bill.  

The recent House-passed package (H.R. 3016) of veterans bills cuts in half the housing allowance for children whose parent’s transferred their Post-9/11 GI Bill to them. The Senate bill (S. 425) contains the same 50% cut, as well as an increase in the service obligation to transfer the benefit to a dependent.

While the bill includes many provisions that IAVA supports, we cannot stand by and allow the Post-9/11 GI Bill to become a piggy bank. To do so would break a promise made by our Congress to those who volunteer to serve in our nation’s military. Those in uniform are expected to uphold their service commitment, and are taught to do so with with integrity. We should expect no less from Congress.

On behalf of our members – America’s newest veterans – we ask you to have our back, as we have had yours, and make the following pledge to post-9/11 military and their families:

“The cornerstone of the relationship between Americans and those who serve our country in uniform is a promise. It is a commitment made by the service member to put themselves in harm’s way where needed to protect and defend us. In turn, we must guarantee them and their families their earned benefits that honors their service and sacrifice. To do anything less would be a breach of trust.

Nearly 1 million veterans have used the Post-9/11 GI Bill as a crucial tool in preparing them and their families for future success. The original GI Bill educated America’s Greatest Generation, and the New GI Bill is doing the same for America’s newest veterans, the New Greatest Generation.

I stand with America’s newest veterans and pledge to preserve the benefits promised to all new veterans and their families and oppose all attempts to use the Post-9/11 GI Bill as a piggy bank to fund other government programs.”

If you will stand with us and make this pledge, please email pledge@iava.org. 

Sincerely,

Tom Porter
Legislative Director
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA)