Us Congress 2025-2026 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HB790

Introduced
1/28/25  
Refer
1/28/25  

Caption

This bill authorizes certain Purple Heart recipients to elect to transfer to one or more eligible dependents (e.g., a spouse or child) unused portions of such recipients’ entitlement to Post-9/11 GI Bill educational assistance. This authority specifically applies to veterans who are awarded the Purple Heart for service in the Armed Forces occurring on or after September 11, 2001, and who have been discharged or released from active service.Under the bill, the total number of months of entitlement transferred by a Purple Heart recipient may not exceed 36 months. Additionally, the Purple Heart recipient may modify or revoke any unused portion of the transferred entitlement by submitting written notice to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Department of Defense (DOD).A transferred entitlement may not be treated as marital property or marital assets in divorce or other civil proceedings.The death of the Purple Heart recipient must not affect the use of the entitlement by the individual who receives the transferred entitlement.In the event of an overpayment of educational assistance, the Purple Heart recipient and the transferee of the entitlement must be held jointly and severally liable for the amount.The bill requires the VA and DOD to coordinate to facilitate the transfer of entitlements under the bill.

Impact

If enacted, HB 790 would directly influence veterans' educational benefits by expanding the criteria under which such benefits can be transferred. This change could potentially increase the number of family members who can access educational resources funded by these benefits, thereby enhancing their educational prospects and ultimately supporting their transition to civilian life. Moreover, it aligns with ongoing efforts to better serve veterans and facilitate their reintegration into society by acknowledging the role their families play in their success.

Summary

House Bill 790 seeks to amend title 38 of the United States Code to allow veterans who have received the Purple Heart after September 11, 2001, to transfer their unused Post-9/11 Educational Assistance benefits to eligible family members. This bill aims to provide greater flexibility and support for veterans and their families in utilizing educational opportunities, recognizing the sacrifices made by those who have served in the armed forces. By enabling the transfer of benefits, the bill acknowledges the importance of veteran support systems and addresses educational access for their dependents.

Contention

While HB 790 aims to extend educational benefits to a wider audience, discussions surrounding the bill may evoke opinions related to resource allocation and the long-term sustainability of the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Stakeholders may debate the implications of allowing transfers, particularly concerning fairness and equity among veterans. Furthermore, concerns may arise regarding whether this expansion could lead to a dilution of the original intent of the educational assistance program, which was designed primarily for veterans themselves rather than their dependents.

Congress_id

119-HR-790

Policy_area

Armed Forces and National Security

Introduced_date

2025-01-28

Companion Bills

US SB342

Related bill Purple Heart Veterans Education Act of 2025This bill authorizes certain Purple Heart recipients to elect to transfer to one or more eligible dependents (e.g., a spouse or child) unused portions of such recipients’ entitlement to Post-9/11 GI Bill educational assistance. This authority specifically applies to veterans who are awarded the Purple Heart for service in the Armed Forces occurring on or after September 11, 2001, and who have been discharged or released from active service.Under the bill, the total number of months of entitlement transferred by a Purple Heart recipient may not exceed 36 months. Additionally, the Purple Heart recipient may modify or revoke any unused portion of the transferred entitlement by submitting written notice.A transferred entitlement may not be treated as marital property or marital assets in divorce or other civil proceedings.The death of the Purple Heart recipient must not affect the use of the entitlement by the individual who receives the transferred entitlement.In the event of an overpayment of educational assistance, the Purple Heart recipient and the transferee of the entitlement must be held jointly and severally liable for the amount.The bill requires the VA and DOD to coordinate to facilitate the transfer of entitlements under the bill.

Previously Filed As

US HB395

Time of Service Act This bill adjusts the time limitation on the use of a veteran's educational assistance entitlement under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Specifically, veterans' entitlements shall not expire for those who were discharged or released from active duty on or after January 1, 2001.

US HB8896

To amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize an individual who is awarded the Purple Heart for service in the Armed Forces to transfer unused Post-9/11 Educational Assistance to a family member, and for other purposes.

US HB214

Veterans' True Choice Act of 2023 This bill allows covered veterans to receive coverage under TRICARE Select, a health care program of the Department of Defense (DOD). Veterans covered by this bill include those with service-connected disabilities, former prisoners of war, Purple Heart recipients, Medal of Honor recipients, those discharged from service due to disability, and those entitled to disability compensation. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) must reimburse DOD's costs of enrolling eligible veteran beneficiaries in the program. A covered veteran may not concurrently receive medical care from DOD and the VA.

US HB9370

To require State agencies to inform recipients of supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits, participants in the WIC program, and recipients of assistance under the TANF program of card skimming, card cloning, and similar fraudulent methods of stealing such benefits or assistance; and for other purposes.

US SB5504

A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to eliminate consideration of the income of organ recipients in providing reimbursement of expenses to donating individuals, and for other purposes.

US HB10558

To amend the Housing and Community Development Act of 1980 and the Housing Act of 1949 to make financial assistance available to DACA recipients, and for other purposes.

US HB393

Modern GI Bill Act This bill authorizes individuals who are entitled to educational assistance under the Post-9/11 GI Bill to apply amounts of such assistance to repay federal student loans for up to 36 months. The bill sets a cap and annual cost-of-living increases for the amount of educational assistance that may be paid to an individual under this bill during FY2024 and the following years.

US HB491

Return Home to Housing Act This bill increases the maximum rate of per diem payments provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to entities (i.e., grant recipients or authorized entities) that furnish services and transitional housing to homeless veterans. The bill also specifies that the VA may adjust the per diem rate in response to an emergency.

US HB4850

To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for a retroactive effective date of law regarding charge to entitlement to Department of Veterans Affairs educational assistance for individuals who do not transfer credits from certain closed or disapproved programs of education.

US HB222

No Oil for CCP Act This bill bans exports of crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to China, North Korea, Iran, and other specified recipients. Specifically, the bill directs the Department of Energy to require as a condition of any sale of crude oil from the SPR that (1) the oil not be exported to such countries; and (2) the recipient of the oil is not under the ownership, control, or influence of the Chinese Communist Party.

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