There is actually a lot going on this week – nothing to cut the costs of rising gas prices; but a lot of other pretty important legislation is being considered. First, however, I want to get you caught up on an historic bill that passed late last week. We finally passed a supplemental funding bill to support our troops and it contained long-overdue reforms of the Montgomery G.I. Bill, providing expanded educational benefits to veterans and their families.
A key component of the reforms is that now for the first time ever, veterans will be able to transfer their G.I. Bill benefits to family members, a key provision not included in earlier versions of this legislation. That’s why I was a co-sponsor of a bill that allowed these benefits to be transferred to the veteran’s spouses and their children and I was pleased it was included in this funding bill. This long-overdue reform finally recognizes the sacrifices made not only by our brave soldiers, but also the sacrifices made by their loving families.
In terms of what’s happening on the floor this week: Democrats are rehashing their blame-game price gouging legislation and bringing a tax hike bill in the guise of an Alternative Minimum Tax relief bill. I'll be sure to keep you in the loop as it happens.