Live from Capitol Hill: House Veterans Affairs Committee Looks for G.I. Bill Answers

Yesterday, the House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity hosted a roundtable discussion among VA leaders, veterans' advocates, and educators to discuss persistent delays in Post-9/11 G.I. Bill (Chapter 33) delivery and potential solutions.

To date, 26,000 claims for Chapter 33 remain unpaid, as the fall semester draws to a close and bills for spring semester are due.

To read the Military Times story about yesterday's hearing, Click Here.

Though AMVETS did not testify, American Veteran was on hand for the discussion.

Student-veterans have commented on this blog repeatedly, desperately seeking assistance amid persistent delays.

At yesterday's round table, participants discussed the possibility of splitting the current claims process to expedite delivery of living stipends, while tuition and fees payments lag behind, or prioritizing processing for enrolled veterans. However, VA Director of Education Services Keith Wilson pointed out that this would not have an effect on the overall workload, still allowing veterans to fall through the cracks.

In August, AMVETS suggested emergency advance payments to aide veterans caught in the backlog, and VA implemented a similar $3,000 emergency check program in October. Unfortunately, this money is starting to run out for student-veterans still waiting for their first living stipend and tuition reimbursements.

AMVETS leaders will continue to monitor Chapter 33 implementation and make recommendations to VA and Congressional leaders in an effort to remedy the backlog. AMVETS service officers will also continue to make advocacy calls on behalf of veterans with questions about their pending claims.

Check back regularly with American Veteran Online for updates, and let us know what you think.

(Photos: Top: Rep. Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin (D-S.D.), chairwoman of the subcommittee, asks questions to roundtable participants. House Veterans Affairs Ranking Member Rep. Steve Buyer (D-Ind.) and subcommittee ranking member Rep. John Boozman (R-Ark.) also played a key role in the afternoon's discussion. Bottom: VA Director of Education Services Keith Wilson answers questions about VA's efforts to remedy the Chapter 33 backlog. Photos by Ryan Gallucci.)

Live from Capitol Hill: AMVETS to testify on state approving agencies

This afternoon, AMVETS National Legislative Director Ray Kelley will testify before the House VA Subcommittee onEconomic Opportunity on the evolution of state approving agencies for utilizing VA education benefits.

State approving agencies are the approving bodies in each state around the country tasked with approving academic and technical training programs for which veterans may use their VA entitlements. Kelley will join leaders from other top VSOs in explaining where the veterans' community feels these agencies should focus.

The committee, chaired by Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-S.D.), will also hear from leaders in the National Association of State Approving Agencies and the Veterans' Benefits Administration with the VA.

To view a list of today's witnesses, Click Here, and be sure to check back with American Veteran Online for updates and multimedia links, as they become available.

Live from Capitol Hill: AMVETS to testify on VA contracting

At 1:30 this afternoon, AMVETS Deputy Legislative Director Christina Roof will testify before the House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity on VA contracting procedures.

For details on today's hearing and to see who will be testifying alongside AMVETS, Click Here.

Roof's testimony will focus on VA's auditing procedures and recommendations AMVETS feels will make the process more equitable for veterans.

Roof testified at an earlier hearing before the subcommittee, outlining key shortfalls AMVETS had identified within the VA contracting system in relation to veteran-owned small businesses (VOSBs) and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSBs).

A live link to video from this afternoon's hearing is unavailable, but to read Roof's written tesitomny, Click Here.

(Photo: House VA Subcommittee Ranking Member John Boozman (R-Ark.) asks questions to panelists from last month's VA contract hearing. Photo by Ryan Gallucci.)