VA Loan Updates

WASHINGTON — Congressman John Kline attended a hearing of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee last week that included testimony from Minnesota National Guard Adjutant Gen. Larry Shellito.

Shellito delivered testimony and answered questions regarding an unresolved administrative error denying more than 1,100 Minnesota soldiers full GI Bill education benefits they earned during their extended deployment to Iraq.

“General Shellito made it clear during his testimony today that the time to act is long overdue,” Kline said. “While I am pleased that my colleagues on both sides of the aisle have recognized the injustice imposed on more than 1,100 of our soldiers, I am equally as frustrated that three months have passed since the error was brought to the Army’s attention and the problem remains unresolved. Members of the Minnesota delegation have made phone calls, sent letters, and introduced several pieces of legislation, yet many of Minnesota’s famed Red Bulls are still waiting for their educational benefits.”

During his testimony, General Shellito expressed his concern.

“National media and the American people have been led to believe that the government is working on it,” said Shellito. “High-level military leaders have been on national television and proclaimed and promised quick resolution. I am appealing to (Congress) to cut the red tape and pave the way for your nation’s heroes to get the benefits they have earned.”

Members of the Minnesota delegation brought the error to the attention of Secretary of the Army Pete Geren in August. Geren recommended that the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) review the process. Kline introduced legislation co-sponsored by the entire Minnesota House delegation that would speed up the procedure by declaring the affected members of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division had met the requirements of GI Bill benefits.

Last Wednesday, Kline joined Congressman Tim Walz to introduce the Fair Benefits for Guard and Reserve Act, bipartisan legislation that changes eligibility requirements of the full GI Bill benefits. Under this legislation, any soldier from any unit who serves over 20 months of consecutive service on active duty would be eligible for full educational benefits. The Walz-Kline legislation (House Resolution 3882) ensures that this error does not happen again.

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