(Washington, D.C.)–Congressman Jim Langevin, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, today announced his support for a Democratic initiative that would provide expanded health care and education resources for U.S. servicemen and women.

“The G.I. Bill of Rights for the 21st Century is but one way to thank our servicemen and women who selflessly place their safety on the line each and every day to defend freedom in Iraq, Afghanistan and other foreign lands,” said Congressman Langevin. “Democrats will fight to improve access to health care and educational needs to ensure that our troops are cared for after their military service. Congress has a real opportunity to help our troops and their families – I hope that the leadership will recognize this Bill of Rights as a way to honor our troops and provide them the support they deserve.”

The G.I. Bill of Rights for the 21st Century improves benefits for our men and women in uniform today and provides long-overdue benefits for the veterans and military retirees who have already served. Further, there are special provisions for the National Guard and Reserve, as their service in Iraq and Afghanistan has truly gone above and beyond the call of duty. It will provide better education, health care and job training benefits for those who have answered that call.

The initiative would enhance veterans’ health care by increasing resources, bolstering mental health care for returning soldiers and blocking increases in prescription drug co-payments and enrollment fees for veterans. Addressing the educational demands of our troops, this proposal would provide for the full cost of college or job training for those serving four years of active duty. These provisions are critical to helping our returning soldiers become a productive part of a prosperous economy, and also provide an important recruiting tool to encourage new soldiers to sign up.

For military retirees and the families of those who died in the line of duty, the New G.I. Bill of Rights will fully repeal the Disabled Veterans Tax, and end the Military Families Tax.

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