Purple Heart recipients would be eligible for full Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits under Rounds bill

U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) is leading the bipartisan legislative effort in the Senate for Purple Heart recipients to be afforded full access to Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Under current eligibility requirements, only veterans who spent 36 months on active duty or were medically discharged after at least 30 days on active duty are eligible for full Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, in addition to those who died in the line of duty or while on active duty.

“It is our job to make sure veterans who have selflessly served our country are equipped with the education benefits necessary to prosper when transitioning to civilian life,” Rounds said.

“Purple Heart recipients have made incredible sacrifices, and deserve to have full Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, regardless of the amount of time they served on active duty,” he said.

The measure also includes a provision that would make Purple Heart recipients eligible for the optional Yellow Ribbon Program, which enables universities to provide additional funding to veterans if Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits don’t cover full education costs.

“True patriotism is what drives men and women every day to serve in our military, even though that service comes with the risk of bodily harm,” U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV), who introduced the bill with Rounds, said.

“The fact that a technicality prevents some Purple Heart recipients from receiving full education benefits is a tragedy that is long overdue to be fixed. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation is an important step in fulfilling our obligation to those who have borne the battle,” Manchin said.