Duckworth, Banks Lead Bipartisan Push To Increase Veterans Education Benefits

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich of New Mexico and U.S. Sen. Jim Banks of Indiana introduced bipartisan legislation to raise the annual books and supplies stipend for veterans using the Post 9/11 GI Bill to $1,500 to help offset rising education costs. The Veteran Education Assistance Adjustment Act would also increase stipends for veterans in apprenticeships, require annual reporting from the Department of Veterans Affairs, and adjust benefits to keep pace with inflation after the current $1,000 stipend level remained unchanged since 2008.