Guard and Reserve Gi Bill Parity Act of 2021

Floor Speech

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Mr. MOORE of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of my amendment to replace the underlying bill with the text of my bill, H.R. 2047.

This amendment would provide additional eligibility for members of the National Guard who are called up on Federal Active-Duty orders for service other than for training.

As a former member of the National Guard, I know all too well the challenges that they face. The National Guard has transitioned in recent years from a reserve force for domestic missions to a full-time force operating around the globe.

My amendment would remove the Presidential declaration requirement that has restricted benefits for so many members of the National Guard in the past. It would make it so that members of the National Guard would receive eligibility for the time spent under any Federal Active- Duty orders that are not for training.

This would provide eligibility for Federal benefits to those who support COVID-19 relief, respond to natural disasters, and protect our southern border.

I agree with Chairman Levin that we must take a hard look at duty status reform and the expansion of benefits afforded to the National Guard and the Reserve component while operating under Federal Active- Duty orders.

My amendment would make it clear that if you are called up on Federal orders for something other than training, you should receive eligibility for GI Bill benefits.

However, I am concerned that the expansion proposed in his bill is a little too broad. We should allow the DOD to complete their efforts to better align benefits to certain duty statuses before we move forward with such a broad expansion. I think General Bergman hit on that point today, that we need to give them time to work through the process.

An expansion of every day in uniform could cost over $2 billion over the next 10 years in mandatory benefits, where my expansion is only $16 million.

We talked about inflation in the hearing today. We have seen the highest increase in 40 years. I think we need to try to get a handle on this kind of runaway spending. I think my approach is more surgical, if you will. It allows the benefits to our Guard and servicemembers without just painting a broad brush for everyone in uniform.

My amendment ensures that members of the National Guard that are called to action receive access to educational programs, like all other veterans, while doing so in a fiscally responsible manner.

Finally, I would like to thank Ranking Member Bost and all his staff for their support on this amendment.

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Mr. MOORE of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Bost), the ranking member of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

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Mr. MOORE of Alabama. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

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