Manatee Review

Congressman Vern Buchanan announced that the U.S. House has passed his bill, the VETS Credit Act 2.0 (H.R. 4850), which aims to expand eligibility for G.I. Bill benefits for student veterans. The legislation was part of a larger package called the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act.

The new bill builds on a previous proposal by Buchanan, known as the Veterans Eligible to Transfer School (VETS) Credit Act. This earlier law was designed to help student veterans transfer their course credits if their school closes or a program ends unexpectedly. Buchanan's initial measure required the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to assist students with understanding credit transfers and provide them with proof of restored benefits.

The VETS Credit Act 2.0 extends these provisions to include eligible student veterans affected by school closures or program terminations after August 1, 2021. "America’s veterans have earned every opportunity to succeed, and we owe it to them to protect the benefits they’ve worked so hard for," said Buchanan. "The VETS Credit Act 2.0 will expand eligibility for student veterans to ensure that no veterans will lose valuable G.I. Bill credits because their school closed by no fault of their own."

Buchanan emphasized that his bill mandates VA support for student veterans, ensuring they can continue their education without additional obstacles.

In addition to this legislation, Buchanan has supported other measures benefiting veterans and military families. His efforts include a law reducing military training accidents following Bradenton soldier Nicolas Panipinto's death in December 2021 and reintroducing the Veterans Overmedication and Suicide Prevention Act, which investigates links between opioid use and veteran suicides.

Buchanan is also a cosponsor of the National POW/MIA Memorial and Museum Act.