Bill Summary
The "Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act of 2025" seeks to expand the eligibility criteria for Post-9/11 Educational Assistance, allowing more members of the National Guard to access educational benefits. Specifically, it amends title 38 of the United States Code to include those National Guard members who are performing full-time duty under certain conditions, such as active duty or national training.
Key provisions include:
1. **Eligibility Expansion**: The bill clarifies that members of the National Guard can qualify for educational assistance when they are on full-time National Guard duty or active duty, aligning their benefits more closely with those of active-duty service members.
2. **Effective Date and Retroactivity**: The amendments will take effect one year after the bill's enactment and will apply retroactively to service performed since September 11, 2001.
3. **Application of Time Limitations**: The bill stipulates that the existing time limitations for using educational benefits will apply to the new entitlements as if the amendments were enacted alongside the original Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008.
Overall, this legislation aims to provide greater equity in educational benefits for National Guard members who serve, ensuring they receive similar support as their active-duty counterparts.
Possible Impacts
The "Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act of 2025" expands eligibility for Post-9/11 Educational Assistance to members of the National Guard who perform certain full-time duty. Here are three examples of how this legislation could affect people:
1. **Increased Educational Opportunities for National Guard Members**: With the expansion of eligibility, members of the National Guard who perform full-time duty will have access to the same educational benefits as their active-duty counterparts. This could enable them to pursue higher education, vocational training, or certification programs, increasing their skills and employability after military service.
2. **Financial Relief for Service Members and Their Families**: The financial burden of higher education can be significant. By qualifying for Post-9/11 Educational Assistance, National Guard members may receive funding for tuition, housing, and other educational expenses. This financial support can ease the economic strain on service members and their families, allowing them to focus more on their education and less on financial concerns.
3. **Encouragement for Full-Time Service**: The legislation may encourage more individuals to join or remain in the National Guard, knowing that they will have access to educational benefits similar to those available to active-duty service members. This could enhance recruitment and retention rates within the National Guard, contributing to a stronger and more capable reserve force for the military.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1423 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1423
To amend title 38, United States Code, to expand eligibility for Post-
9/11 Educational Assistance to members of the National Guard who
perform certain full-time duty, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
February 18, 2025
Mr. Levin (for himself, Mr. Kelly of Mississippi, Mr. Takano, Mr.
Ciscomani, Ms. McClellan, Ms. Houlahan, Mr. Mrvan, Ms. Perez, Mr.
Stanton, Ms. Norton, and Ms. Tlaib) introduced the following bill;
which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend title 38, United States Code, to expand eligibility for Post-
9/11 Educational Assistance to members of the National Guard who
perform certain full-time duty, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act
of 2025''.
SEC. 2. EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR POST-9/11 EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE
TO MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL GUARD WHO PERFORM CERTAIN
FULL-TIME DUTY.
(a) In General.--Section 3301(1) of title 38, United States Code,
is amended--
(1) by amending subparagraph (B) to read as follows:
``(B) In the case of members of the reserve
components of the Armed Forces--
``(i) service on active duty (as defined in
section 101(d) of title 10), inactive-duty
training (as defined in section 101(d) of title
10), or annual training duty; or
``(ii) service on active duty under a call
or order to active duty under section 688,
12301(a), 12301(d), 12301(g), 12301(h), 12302,
12304, 12304a, or 12304b of title 10 or section
3713 of title 14, but not including inactive
duty training (as defined in section 101(d) of
title 10) or annual training duty.''; and
(2) in subparagraph (C)--
(A) in clause (i), by striking ``; or'' and
inserting a semicolon; and
(B) by striking clause (ii) and inserting the
following new clauses:
``(ii) in the National Guard when
performing full-time National Guard duty (as
defined in section 101 of title 32); or
``(iii) in the National Guard when
performing active duty (as defined in section
101 of title 32).''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) shall
take effect on the date that is one year after the date of the
enactment of this Act.
(c) Retroactive Applicability.--The amendments made by subsection
(a) shall apply with respect to service performed on or after September
11, 2001.
(d) Application of Time Limitation for Use of Entitlement.--Section
3321(a) of title 38, United States Code, shall apply to entitlement to
educational assistance acquired as a result of the amendments made by
subsection (a) as if such amendments had been enacted immediately after
the enactment of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of
2008 (Public Law 110-252).
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