[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 48 (Thursday, March 12, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E307]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 DISABLED VETERANS EDUCATION RELIEF ACT

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                  HON. GREGORIO KILILI CAMACHO SABLAN

                    of the northern mariana islands

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 12, 2020

  Mr. SABLAN. Madam Speaker, today, I introduce the Disabled Veterans 
Education Relief Act, which would reinstate VA education assistance for 
disabled veterans in vocational rehabilitation and employment (VR&E) 
training in the event their school closes or courses are disapproved. 
Section 109 of the Forever GI Bill law extended these protections to 
students using GI Bill benefits but did not include students using 
education benefits under the VR&E program. By extending these 
protections to the over 100,000 veterans who participate in the VR&E 
program every year, our nation will ensure that all veterans can access 
relief when their studies are disrupted by school closures or 
disapproved courses through no fault of their own.
  The bill requires the VA to protect VR&E students on the same basis 
as their counterparts using GI Bill benefits as mandated by section 109 
of the Forever GI Bill law. These protections include the restoration 
of benefits for those affected by school closures or the course was 
disapproved as a result of a modified policy, regulation, or law. In 
addition, my legislation authorizes the VA to continue paying 
subsistence allowances to VR&E students through the end of the academic 
term during which such closure or disapproval occurred. VA will also be 
required to notify affected students of imminent and actual school 
closures and inform them how the closure will affect their VR&E 
benefits.
  The Act has the support of the Disabled American Veterans, American 
Legion, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars, 
Student Veterans of America, AMVETS, Association of the U.S. Navy, 
Military Officers Association of America, National Military Family 
Association, and the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the 
United States.
  The gentleman from Illinois, Mr. Bost, is an original cosponsor of 
the bill.
  I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation.

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