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Front view of the Capitol

House passes Rep. Barry Moore's bill expanding veterans benefits to surviving beneficiaries

November 15, 2021

Washington, D.C. — Tonight, the House of Representatives passed Rep. Barry Moore's (AL-02) bill, the Colonel John M. McHugh Tuition Fairness for Survivors Act of 2021, by a vote of 424-0. Before the vote, Moore spoke on the floor of the House urging his colleagues to support his legislation. The bill, introduced in the Senate by Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS) previously passed the Senate and now goes to President Joe Biden to be signed into law.

 

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Col. John McHugh

Moore's remarks as prepared are below:

"Madam Speaker, today I rise in support of the Senate version of my bill, the Colonel John M. McHugh Tuition Fairness for Survivors Act of 2021. Members of our military and their families sacrifice so much in service to our country. As a grateful nation, we have accepted the responsibility to ensure that the educational needs of the survivors and dependents of our fallen heroes are provided for.

"The Dependents Educational Assistance (DEA) program currently provides $1,224 a month to eligible participants to help cover the costs of higher education. The program is available for survivors and dependents of certain servicemembers who died on active duty or were later found to be 100% service-connected disabled or died of a service-connected disability.

"The Colonel John M. McHugh Tuition Fairness for Survivors Act would expand DEA program benefits, requiring GI Bill eligible schools to extend in-state tuition benefits to beneficiaries of the Dependents Educational Assistance Program – bringing the rules for this program in line with the Post 9/11GI Bill.

"It is fitting that this bill bears the name of U.S. Army Colonel John McHugh. Col. McHugh was tragically killed 11 years ago by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan. The loved ones left behind by this fallen hero have suffered unimaginable pain. The least we can do for his family, and others like them, is honor our commitment to them and ensure their education is affordable.

"Col. McHugh’s family resides in my Southeast Alabama district in Enterprise. It gives me great pride that the name of this bill honors Col. McHugh’s legacy. This legislation is a commonsense solution to help our heroes’ families meet their higher education goals. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this bill."

Click HERE for the full clip of Rep. Moore’s remarks.

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