Military Family GI Promise Act Expands Timeframe for Dependents' Benefits

The Military Family GI Promise Act seeks to expand educational opportunities to the dependents of veterans, particularly children born or adopted later in their military careers.

Both veterans, Rep. Cory Mills, R-Florida, and Rep. Eugene Vindman, D-7th, introduced the bipartisan measure last week in the U.S. House.

The bill seeks to fix a reported outdated Department of Defense policy that prevents service members from transferring their earned Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to their children, according to a release.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill helps veterans and their dependents pay for college, graduate school and training programs. The Military Family GI Bill Promise Act would allow eligible service members and veterans to transfer their GI Bill benefits to dependents at any time and remove the requirement for additional obligated service once transfer eligibility has been met, the release stated.

Under current law, service members can only transfer GI Bill benefits while on active duty and must commit to four additional years of service after reaching six years in uniform.

Transfers must also be made only to dependents already registered in the reporting system, excluding children born or adopted after separation or 10 years of service, unless the member reenlists. The bill maintains all current retention incentives including the provision that members complete six years of service before eligible to transfer benefits.

Seventh District constituents spoke in favor of the measure, in comments provided through the local congressman's office.

Chris from Spotsylvania County stated, "After serving for 11 years, earning the GI Bill benefit, and waiting to start a family until after leaving active duty, I was shocked to discover I had lost the ability to transfer my benefits to my children. The policy is completely unfair and penalizes single service members, who in many cases aren't in a position to even think about starting a family."

Isaac from Spotsylvania County stated he and his wife made a conscious decision to not have children while he was on active duty.

"My heart and mind at that time was with giving 100% to my country. I retired from active duty in 2013 and used my Post 9/11 GI Bill for graduate school. In 2016, we had an amazing daughter. I hope to transfer the remaining education benefit to her and supplement her VA 529. This bill would help me worry less about needing to work well into my 60's to provide an education for her."

Liz from Prince William County said the Post 9/11 GI Bill funded her education and transformed her future.

"Because of this legislation, I earned a Master of Science degree in Psychology with dual specialization, equipping me to serve my community in ways that once felt out of reach. This is proof that investing in veterans isn't charity--it's nation-building."

Under current law, if a service member earns the ability to transfer GI bill benefits, but retires or is honorably discharged before they start a family, they lose the ability to transfer those benefits, according to Vindman.

"That is just plain wrong. This bill is a commonsense fix to an unfair policy and upholds the promise we made to those who serve," he said.

The Republican from Florida said he was proud to co-sponsor the legislation that protects earned benefits.

"I firmly believe that these heroes deserve the flexibility to transfer their hard-earned Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to their dependents, regardless of when those dependents are added to their family," said Rep. Mills.

"This commonsense legislation removes unnecessary barriers and ensures that our military families are not penalized for growing later in their careers. By preserving the current retention incentives while allowing transfers at any time, we are keeping our promise to those who have sacrificed so much for our nation," Mills said.

According to Vindman's office, Mills is a staunch conservative but recognized the good the GI Bill expansion will do. Supporters hope to see more folks sign on in short order once the measure is pushed following the August recess, according to a spokesperson.

House Passes Defense Appropriations bill; Vindman Votes No

According to the National Republican Congressional Committee, Vindman is a radical Democrat who voted against the DOD Appropriations Act last week they said would strengthen national security, support the troops and combat fentanyl. The funding passed by House Republicans includes $500 million for Israeli Cooperative Missile Defense Programs, $122.5 million for U.S.-Israel joint development programs and a 3.8% pay raise for military families starting Jan. 1, 2026, according to the committee.

"While Republicans are delivering results for our servicemembers and families, out of touch Democrat Eugene Vindman continues putting partisan politics over national defense. Virginians deserve leaders who will defend our country, not cave to the radical left," said NRCC Spokeswoman Maureen O'Toole.

Congressional Democrats on the Appropriations Committee in a July 18 statement called it the "Republicans' dangerous 2026 Defense funding bill," saying the measure "undermines democracy at home and abroad and includes harmful policy riders that divide our nation."

According to Dems, the funding will weaken Ukraine, promote disinformation and limit abortion access.

Defense Appropriations Subcommittee Ranking Member Betty McCollum (D-MN) said the bill "contains several poison pill provisions that undermine our military's readiness, including a policy rider that would make it difficult for service women and families to receive reproductive healthcare. It contains provisions that disenfranchise lesbian, gay, and transgender service members. These provisions will not go unnoticed by our service members, and I fear they will harm recruitment and retention should they become law," she said.

In a statement Sunday, Vindman addressed his defense appropriations no vote saying as a congressman his greatest responsibility is ensuring the safety of the nation. He said the Republican spending bill eliminates 45,000 Department of Defense employees and defunds counterterrorism efforts.

"I'll continue to fight extreme partisan efforts, like this bill, that put politics and partisanship over common sense policies," said Vindman.

The military veteran and freshman congressman born in Soviet Ukraine said the spending bill would "abandon our own national security interests by excluding $300 million in security assistance for Ukraine -- a gift to Putin at a time when we should be standing with our allies.

"This bill undermines our national security, hurts our military's readiness, and shortchanges those who serve our country," Vindman said.

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