Bill Summary
The "Veteran Education Assistance Adjustment Act" aims to enhance financial support for veterans pursuing education under the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program by amending Title 38 of the United States Code. Specifically, it increases the annual stipend for books, supplies, equipment, and other educational costs from $1,000 to $1,400. Additionally, starting from fiscal year 2026, the Act mandates an annual adjustment to this stipend based on the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for urban consumers, ensuring that the stipend keeps pace with inflation. This legislation seeks to provide better financial resources to veterans as they transition to civilian life and pursue further education.
Possible Impacts
Here are three examples of how the "Veteran Education Assistance Adjustment Act" could affect people:
1. **Increased Financial Support for Veterans**: The amendment raises the stipend for books, supplies, and educational costs from $1,000 to $1,400. This increase directly benefits veterans enrolled in educational programs under the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program, providing them with more financial resources to cover necessary expenses, thereby reducing their financial burden and enhancing their educational experience.
2. **Responsive Adjustments to Inflation**: The legislation includes provisions for annual increases based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI). This means that as the cost of living rises, the stipends will adjust accordingly, ensuring that veterans are not left behind as inflation increases. This responsiveness helps veterans better manage their educational costs over time, maintaining their purchasing power for essential educational materials.
3. **Encouragement for Pursuing Higher Education**: By providing increased and inflation-adjusted stipends, the act may encourage more veterans to pursue higher education, vocational training, or other forms of post-secondary education. This support can lead to higher educational attainment, which could improve job prospects and overall economic stability for veterans and their families, fostering long-term benefits for society as a whole.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1965 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1965
To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for an annual
increase in stipend for books, supplies, equipment, and other
educational costs under Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program of
Department of Veterans Affairs.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 6, 2025
Mr. Vasquez (for himself and Mr. Valadao) introduced the following
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for an annual
increase in stipend for books, supplies, equipment, and other
educational costs under Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program of
Department of Veterans Affairs.
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 ``Veteran Education Assistance
Adjustment Act''.
SEC. 2. ANNUAL INCREASE IN STIPEND FOR BOOKS, SUPPLIES, EQUIPMENT, AND
OTHER EDUCATIONAL COSTS UNDER POST-9/11 EDUCATIONAL
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
Section 3313 of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (c)(1)(B)(iv)(I), by striking ``$1,000''
and inserting ``$1,400'';
(2) in subsection (e)(2)(B)(i), by striking ``$1,000'' and
inserting ``$1,400''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(m) Annual Increase in Stipend for Books, Supplies, Equipment,
and Other Educational Costs.--With respect to fiscal year 2026 and each
subsequent fiscal year, the Secretary shall provide a percentage
increase (rounded to the nearest dollar) in the amounts payable under
subsections (c)(1)(B)(iv)(I), (e)(2)(B)(i), and (g)(3)(A)(iii), equal
to the percentage by which--
``(1) the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers
(U.S. city average) for the 12-month period ending on the June
30 preceding the beginning of the fiscal year for which the
increase is made, exceeds
``(2) the Consumer Price Index for the 12-month period
preceding the 12-month period described in paragraph (1).''.
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