WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) – the chairman and ranking member of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs – introduced legislation to expand GI Bill benefits to members of the National Guard and Reserve components serving on certain federal duty statuses.

The Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act of 2025 would allow additional federal active-duty service performed by guardsmen and reservists under specific duty statuses to count towards their GI Bill eligibility. This would align benefits for these individuals with the benefits earned by their active-duty counterparts for the same military service.

“The men and women of the National Guard and Reserves are being called on to serve our country more often than before and are performing the same service as active-duty servicemembers,” said Sen. Moran. “The Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act would make certain our guardsmen and reservists have the same educational benefits and opportunities to pursue higher education when carrying out the same responsibilities.”

“The brave men and women of our National Guard and Reserves who serve and sacrifice for the sake of our nation deserve comprehensive educational benefits,” said Sen. Blumenthal. “The Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act ensures that Guard and Reserve servicemembers receive credit for every day spent in uniform, allowing these individuals to pursue their higher education and career goals. With this critical legislation, we honor the service of our nation’s Guardsmen and Reservists and ensure they are eligible for the educational benefits they have rightfully earned.”

The full text of the legislation can be found here.

“The GI Bill is a phenomenal draw to joining the military. We invest in our servicemembers because they invest in our nation’s freedom,” said retired Maj Gen. Francis M. McGinn, President, National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS). “Each day in uniform should count towards accruing education benefits, including time spent away on drill weekends and annual training for the National Guard. This bill creates parity across the components and recognizes our Guardsmen and women for their valued contributions. We thank Senator Moran and Senator Blumenthal for their dedication to the Guard and for addressing this issue.”

"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 2025 to ensure equity of benefits for Reserve component service members” said Kristina Keenan, Deputy Legislative Director, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). “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. The VFW thanks Senators Moran and Blumenthal for introducing this legislation to better support our service members."

"On behalf of our 1.6 million dues-paying members, The American Legion wholeheartedly supports the Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act,” said Matt Jabaut, Chairman of the Veterans Employment and Education Commission, The American Legion. “Chairman Moran, Ranking Member Blumenthal, and their staff’s unwavering commitment to service members and veterans is admirable. The passage of this legislation is a vital step in not only validating but supporting the contributions made to this great nation by our National Guard and Reserve service members. Ensuring that these service members are afforded the same educational opportunities as their active-duty counterparts, allows for further prospects following their service and can be viewed as a positive step in resolving the recruiting crisis in the National Guard and Reserves."

“For reserve component servicemembers that perform identical jobs, and whose sacrifices equate to their active-duty counterparts, it is important that their service is recognized through the provision of equal benefits” said Lt. General Brian Kelly, USAF (Ret), President and CEO, Military Officers Association of America (MOAA). “The Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act of 2025 is critical due to its expansion of education benefits. We appreciate Chairman Moran and Ranking Member Blumenthal for introducing this legislation so that this nation's reserve component's see their service appropriately recognized.”

"The Reserve Organization of America thanks Senators Moran and Blumenthal for sponsoring the Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act of 2025," said Matthew Schwartzman, Legislation and Military Policy Director, Reserve Officers Association (ROA). "This legislation will ensure parity by allowing reserve component members to count all paid points days toward Post-9/11 GI Bill eligibility, aligning them with their active-duty counterparts. Expanding these benefits will enhance recruiting, retention, and operational readiness, while supporting the education and career advancement of reservists. We strongly support this bill and urge its swift passage into law."

“The National Guard and Reserve are vital to disaster relief, homeland security, and overseas missions, demonstrating adaptability and readiness in responding to crises like hurricanes, wildfires, and floods to support affected communities, in addition to their traditional military roles, including potential activations and deployments," said Tammy Barlet, Vice President of Government Affairs at Student Veterans of America (SVA). "The Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act of 2025 is a critical step toward correcting a long-standing disparity in educational benefits for these servicemembers. By recognizing their service equally, this legislation provides them with the opportunity to pursue higher education and advance their careers and economic potential. We appreciate Senator Moran and Senator Blumenthal for their commitment to ensuring educational parity for the National Guard and Reserve and enhancing the security of our nation.

"TAPS fully endorses the Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act, and thanks Senators Moran and Blumenthal for reintroducing this critical legislation” said Bonnie Carroll, Founder & President, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS). “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, Veterans Education Success (VES). “It's time to pass the Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act without delay, and we applaud Chairman Jerry Moran and Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal for championing this important legislation.”

“The GI Bill has been a cornerstone of support for servicemembers and their families, providing access to education, homeownership, and economic opportunity,” said Keith A. Reed, Chief Executive Officer, The Air Force Sergeants Association (AFSA). “However, far too many deserving individuals still lack access to these essential benefits. The Air Force Sergeants Association extends its gratitude to Senators Moran and Blumenthal for their dedication to those who serve our nation, working to ensure that every day in uniform is counted.”

Companion legislation was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Reps. Mike Levin (D-Calf.) and Trent Kelly (R-Miss.).

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