House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committee leaders introduced parallel bills today enabling spouses and dependent children of severely combat-wounded troops to apply for VA education benefit assistance without first waiting for the injured military member to be discharged from active duty. Currently, individuals seeking the education benefit must wait until the military member completes the separation from service, a process that is sometimes as long as two years. The legislation would help family members of injured veterans “improve their ability to compete in the job market,” since some family members often must become breadwinners, said Rep. Steve Buyer (R-Ind.). Commented Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho): “This change will be a win-win for all. It’s simply the right thing to do.”
The Air Force’s senior enlisted leader told lawmakers that the service is working on 17 new on-base child care facilities to reduce a space shortfall and clear a backlog of Airmen’s children waiting for slots.
