WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Jon Tester (D-Mont.) – the ranking member and chairman of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee – introduced legislation to expand GI Bill benefits to certain federal duty statuses performed by the National Guard and Reserve components.

The Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act of 2024 would permit additional federal active duty service performed by guardsmen and reservists under certain duty statuses, to count towards their GI Bill eligibility.

“In recent years, the National Guard and Reserve component have been called on more than ever to serve on behalf of the federal government,” said Sen. Moran. “This legislation would make certain that guardsmen and reservists who are performing the same services as active duty servicemembers are eligible for the same GI Bill benefits. Every day in uniform is a day in service to this nation.”

“Generations of men and women who served our country relied on the GI Bill to help get an education, and today’s servicemembers have earned the same,” said Sen. Tester. “Right now, too many deserving men and women aren’t eligible for GI Bill benefits, so our bipartisan legislation will ensure Guard and Reserve members who serve their country will get the educational benefits they’ve earned.”

“Education is one of the greatest investments we can make in our servicemembers and their future,” said retired Maj Gen. Francis M. McGinn, NGAUS president. “The GI Bill has proven to be one of the most transformational policies for the force passed in the 20th century. It is far past time that this benefit apply equally to the active and reserve components. We thank the House and Senate committees for recognizing this as an issue and for your work to create parity.”

"The National Guard and Reserve play an indispensable role in various operations, including disaster relief efforts, homeland security missions, and overseas deployments. Their flexibility and readiness are crucial in responding to natural disasters such as hurricanes, wildfires, and floods, providing essential support to affected communities," said Tammy Barlet, Vice President of Government Affairs, with Student Veterans of America (SVA). “The Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act of 2024 is a crucial piece of legislation that addresses a longstanding disparity in educational benefits for members of the National Guard and Reserve components of the U.S. Military. Ultimately, it honors the commitment of these servicemembers by affording them the opportunity to pursue higher education and achieve their career goals. We thank Ranking Member Levin of the HVAC Economic Opportunity Subcommittee for his tireless work to make every day in uniform count the same for everyone who wears it."

“When reserve component servicemembers perform the identical job and make the same sacrifices as their active duty counterparts, they should be recognized with the same benefits,” said Lt. Gen. Brian Kelly, USAF (Ret), MOAA president and CEO. “The Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act expands essential education benefits and acknowledges the reserve component’s essential contributions to our nation.”

“I stand firmly with our National Guard and Reserve members, advocating relentlessly for the passage of the Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act,” said Master Sergeant (Retired) Daniel Reilly, President of the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States. “It is high time we recognized and rectified the disparities in benefits our service members face. There is no one around the globe performing more astronomical feats and sacrificing more for our way of life and the United States of America than our members of the National Guard.”

“The GI Bill is one of the most important pieces of legislation in American history. Unfortunately, members of the Reserve and National Guard face disadvantages in accessing its benefits,” said the Reserve Organization of America’s executive director, retired Army Maj. Gen. Jeffrey E. Phillips. “The Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act recognizes the increased demands placed on reserve service members by ensuring every day in uniform counts towards Post-9/11 GI Bill eligibility.”

"National Guard and Reserve members train alongside active duty service members and consistently make sacrifices without always earning the same VA education benefits. The VFW strongly supports the Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act of 2024 to ensure equity of benefits for Reserve component service members” said Kristina Keenan, Deputy Legislative Director, Veterans of Foreign Wars. “This bill would allow any day in uniform receiving military pay to count toward Post-9/11 GI Bill eligibility. For years, the sacrifices of Guard and Reserve service members have been overlooked in achieving GI Bill eligibility. The time is now for parity with all the armed forces in earning VA education benefits."

"On behalf of our 1.6 million dues-paying members, The American Legion shares its full support of the Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act” said John W. Bowen, Sr, Chairman of The American Legion National Veterans Employment & Education Commission. “This timely legislation will ensure the contributions of our National Guard and Reserve Servicemembers earn the same education opportunities as their active-duty counterparts currently receive. Ensuring opportunity following service to country is a meaningful way to make strides to resolve our recruiting crisis."

"TAPS fully endorses the Guard/Reserve GI Bill Parity Act,” said Bonnie Carroll, Founder & President, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors. “As an organization that was founded on the loss of a member of the Alaska National Guard, TAPS fully understands just how important our Guard and Reserve components are to military readiness. Every day in uniform should count towards GI Bill eligibility to ensure our Guard and Reserve members are eligible for the same benefits as their active duty counterparts."

“We strongly support counting every day of military service towards earning education benefits, and we call on Congress to address this long overdue issue,” said William Hubbard, Vice President for Veterans & Military Policy at Veterans Education Success. “It is time to pass the Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act without delay.”

Companion legislation was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Rep. Mike Levin (D-Calf.) and Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-Ariz.).

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