Reps. Tran, Barrett Lead Bipartisan Bill to Streamline Veterans’ Benefits
Washington, DC – Today, Reps. Derek Tran (D-CA) and Tom Barrett (R-MI) introduced the bipartisan Delivering Digitally to Our Veterans Act to streamline the administration of veterans’ benefits awarded through the G.I. Bill. This bill would allow Veterans the option to receive G.I Bill information and benefits through electronic messages rather than traditional mail. It will reduce unnecessary paperwork and make it easier for Veterans to access their educational benefits online.
The full text of the bill can be found HERE.
“I enlisted in the U.S. Army when I was 18 years old, and supported my education with the G.I. Bill. I know firsthand how critical these benefits are for ensuring that our Veterans succeed,” said Rep. Derek Tran. “Our Veterans have dedicated their lives to serving our country, and we should focus on making the benefits they have rightfully earned accessible in the digital age. I’m proud to stand with Rep. Barrett to introduce the bipartisan Delivering Digitally to our Veterans Act to ensure that all our Veterans can easily access their educational benefits to continue learning and thriving.”
Though the Digital GI Bill (DGIB) modernized the benefits administration process established in the original GI Bill, the current delivery system for Veterans’ educational benefits still poses unnecessary complications for Veterans in viewing updates to their GI Bill information. Veterans have reported receiving information via traditional mail, yet they must log in to view changes to their educational benefits in the DGIB system. The Delivering Digitally for Our Veterans Act would authorize the VA to allow digital messaging related to DGIB benefits, enhancing user friendliness and optimizing the efficiency of benefits administration for all Veterans.
Congressman Derek Tran represents California’s 45th Congressional District. Serving his first term in Congress, Congressman Tran is a member of the House Armed Services Committee and House Small Business Committee, where he is Ranking Member of the Oversight, Investigations, and Regulations Subcommittee. Congressman Tran is the son of Vietnamese refugees, a Veteran, and fought for consumers as an attorney before entering Congress.