U.S. Rep. Luke Messer’s (IN-06) proposal to help veterans impacted by the closure of ITT Technical Institute passed the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee today, as part of a larger GI Bill reform package.
Messer’s proposal retroactively restores GI Bill benefits to veterans who were attending Indiana-based ITT Tech, which closed its doors in September 2016 impacting 40,000 students nationwide, including more than 7,000 veterans.
His proposal is part of the Harry Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017, which improves and modernizes several aspects of the GI Bill.
Messer testified about his proposal during the VA Committee’s hearing on the GI Bill reform package Monday night, ahead of today’s vote.
“Veterans attending ITT Tech got a raw deal, and they deserve better,†Messer said during his testimony. “Our service men and women count on their GI Bill benefits to help them start a career and build a life after serving our country. The least we can do is make sure they get that chance.â€
Messer’s provision provides full restoration of GI Bill benefits within 90 days to students who attended ITT Tech, if they were not able to transfer their credits to a new institution. It also helps veterans who may be impacted by a school closure in the future.
“Jason Nyikos, a U.S. Navy veteran from Greenfield, Indiana in my district had to start his degree completely from scratch, after spending two years at ITT Tech. Not a single credit transferred, and his GI Bill is going to run out before he can finish a new degree,â€Messer said in his testimony. “Jason’s story is one among thousands. It’s not fair that these veterans would lose their GI benefits through no fault of their own. They deserve better.â€
The Harry Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017 is expected to be considered by the full House of Representatives for passage this month.
Messer worked on this bipartisan proposal with U.S. Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA).
