Fitzgerald Introduces Bill to Protect Veteran Education Benefits
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Scott Fitzgerald (WI-05) was joined by House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Ranking Member Mike Bost (IL-12) to introduce the Vaccine Discharge Parity Act.
This legislation would amend Title 38, U.S. Code, to ensure that a member of the Armed Forces who receives a general discharge under honorable conditions on the sole basis of refusing the COVID-19 vaccine remains eligible for G.I. Bill education benefits.
“I am proud to support my friend, Rep. Fitzgerald’s, Vaccine Discharge Parity Act to make sure that no servicemember loses their GI bill benefits for refusing to get vaccinated against COVID-19,” said Ranking Member Bost. “I thank him for his efforts to support the men and women who have served.”
BACKGROUND
In the FY22 National Defense Authorization Act, Congress included a provision limiting discharges for failure to receive the COVID-19 vaccine to either: a) an honorable discharge; or b) a general discharge under honorable conditions.
Servicemembers who receive a general discharge under honorable conditions are ineligible for both Montgomery and Post-9/11 G.I. Bill education benefits.
Read the full bill text.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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