(Tribune News Service) — A bill introduced last week to the U.S. House of Representatives, the Military Family GI Promise Act, seeks to expand educational opportunities to the dependents of veterans, particularly children born or adopted later in their military careers.

Rep. Cory Mills, R-Fla., and Rep. Eugene Vindman, D-Va., who are both veterans, introduced the bipartisan measure last week in the U.S. House.

The bill seeks to change a Department of Defense policy that prevents service members from transferring their earned Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to their children, according to a press release.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill helps veterans and their dependents pay for college, graduate school and training programs. The Military Family GI Bill Promise Act would allow eligible service members and veterans to transfer their GI Bill benefits to dependents at any time and remove the requirement for additional obligated service once transfer eligibility has been met, the release stated.

Under current law, service members can only transfer GI Bill benefits while on active duty and must commit to four additional years of service after reaching six years in uniform.

Transfers must also be made only to dependents already registered in the reporting system, excluding children born or adopted after separation or 10 years of service, unless the member reenlists. The bill maintains all current retention incentives including the provision that members complete six years of service before eligible to transfer benefits.

Constituents of Virginia’s seventh House district spoke in favor of the measure, in comments provided through Vindman’s office.

“After serving for 11 years, earning the GI Bill benefit, and waiting to start a family until after leaving active duty, I was shocked to discover I had lost the ability to transfer my benefits to my children, Chris of Spotsylvania County stated in the press release.

“The policy is completely unfair and penalizes single service members, who in many cases aren’t in a position to even think about starting a family.”

Isaac, also from Spotsylvania County, stated he and his wife made a conscious decision to not have children while he was on active duty.

“My heart and mind at that time was with giving 100% to my country. I retired from active duty in 2013 and used my Post 9/11 GI Bill for graduate school. In 2016, we had an amazing daughter. I hope to transfer the remaining education benefit to her and supplement her VA 529. This bill would help me worry less about needing to work well into my 60’s to provide an education for her.”

Liz of Prince William County said the Post 9/11 GI Bill funded her education and transformed her future.

“Because of this legislation, I earned a Master of Science degree in Psychology with dual specialization, equipping me to serve my community in ways that once felt out of reach. This is proof that investing in veterans isn’t charity — it’s nation-building.”

Under current law, if a service member earns the ability to transfer GI bill benefits, but retires or is honorably discharged before they start a family, they lose the ability to transfer those benefits, according to Vindman.

“That is just plain wrong. This bill is a commonsense fix to an unfair policy and upholds the promise we made to those who serve,” he said.

Mills said he was proud to co-sponsor the legislation that protects earned benefits, which should be available to service members “regardless of when dependents are added to their family.”

“This commonsense legislation removes unnecessary barriers and ensures that our military families are not penalized for growing later in their careers. By preserving the current retention incentives while allowing transfers at any time, we are keeping our promise to those who have sacrificed so much for our nation,” Mills said.

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