Congressman Cleaver Votes to Ensure National Guard and Reserve Members Receive Equal Access to G.I. Benefits
(Washington, D.C.) – Today, United States Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) voted in favor of H.R. 1836, the Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act, which ensures that members of the National Guard and Reserve—who often serve side-by-side with their Active Duty counterparts yet do not currently receive the same access to critical G.I. bill benefits—are honored with the benefits they have earned and deserve.
"The men and women who have selflessly dedicated their time and energy to serve in the Missouri National Guard and Reserve deserve to have every day they serve in uniform count toward their G.I. benefits," said Congressman Cleaver. "As it currently stands, a loophole prevents National Guard and Reserve servicemembers, who play a critical role in the safety and security of communities across our state, from getting vital benefits they need and deserve. I'm proud today to stand with my colleagues in Congress on a bipartisan basis to pass the Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act to close this loophole once-and-for-all."
Since the September 11th terrorist attacks, National Guard members and Reservists have become even more integral to America's national security strategy. Increasingly, these servicemembers are seeing heavier training schedules and more frequent deployments, often serving side-by-side with their Active Duty counterparts. However, current law falls short of ensuring that National Guard members and Reservists accrue the vital education benefits they have earned for their increased workload. The Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act closes eligibility gaps in the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill to ensure that members of the National Guard and Reserve have access to these life-changing benefits.
"Our veterans, whether Active Duty, National Guard or Reservist, deserve the uncompromising support of Congress and the American people," said Congressman Cleaver. "With passage of the Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act, we're one step closer to ensuring that the promises made to our veterans are honored wholly and without exception."
Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Oak Grove, North Kansas City, Gladstone, Claycomo, and all of Ray, Lafayette, and Saline Counties. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee; Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Housing, Community Development, and Insurance; member of the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress; member of the Committee on Homeland Security; and a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. A high-resolution photo of Congressman Cleaver is available here.
