Bill Summary
The "Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act of 2025" aims to expand eligibility for Post-9/11 Educational Assistance to members of the National Guard who perform certain full-time duties. The legislation amends Title 38 of the United States Code to include National Guard service members who are on full-time duty or active duty as eligible for educational benefits. Specifically, it clarifies that service performed under defined conditions in the National Guard qualifies for the same educational assistance that is available to other military personnel. The amendments will take effect one year after enactment and will apply retroactively to service performed since September 11, 2001. Additionally, the legislation stipulates that the time limitations for using these educational benefits will be applied as if the amendments were enacted immediately after the original Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008.
Possible Impacts
The "Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act of 2025" aims to expand eligibility for Post-9/11 Educational Assistance to members of the National Guard who perform certain types of full-time duty. Here are three examples of how this legislation could affect people:
1. **Increased Educational Opportunities for National Guard Members**: The legislation allows National Guard members who perform full-time duty to access the same educational benefits previously reserved for regular active-duty service members. This could lead to more National Guard members pursuing higher education, vocational training, or other educational programs, enhancing their skills and job prospects.
2. **Financial Relief for Service Members and Families**: By expanding eligibility for educational assistance, the bill could alleviate some financial burdens for National Guard service members and their families. Access to tuition coverage, housing allowances, and other educational benefits can help service members afford college or vocational training, ultimately improving their economic stability and quality of life.
3. **Enhanced Recruitment and Retention of National Guard Personnel**: The expanded benefits may make service in the National Guard more appealing to potential recruits. Knowing that they will have access to valuable educational assistance could encourage more individuals to join the National Guard, thereby strengthening the military's reserve capabilities and ensuring a robust pipeline of trained personnel for future needs. This can also aid in retaining current members who value educational opportunities as part of their service.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 649 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 649
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 SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
February 20, 2025
Mr. Moran (for himself and Mr. Blumenthal) introduced the following
bill; which was read twice and 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).
<all>