Walz Passes His First House Amendment

05/17/2007

Washington, D.C.-Today, the House of Representatives approved an amendment to the Department of Defense authorization bill offered by Rep. Tim Walz. This was the first major amendment offered by Walz and it passed on a voice vote. The amendment requires the Department of Defense to study and report to Congress on the Federal Tuition Assistance Program.

"Since taking office I've seen a steady volume of questions and complaints about the Federal Tuition Assistance program," explained Walz. "We owe it to our fighting men and women to ensure that they receive every benefit to which they are entitled. Too many of our service members are counting on this program only to have it come up short. My study will provide Congress the information it needs to improve the federal tuition assistance program."

The amendment requires the Department of Defense to study and report back to the House and Senate Armed Services Committees within 9 months on:

· The number of service members eligible for participation in the federal tuition assistance program authorized under Section 2007 of Title 10, United States Code;

· The number of service members who receive benefits under that program;

· The extent to which that program affects retention rates;

· The extent to which State tuition assistance programs affect retention rates in those States.

The federal tuition assistance program provides actively drilling service members a 100-percent tuition payment benefit (up to $250 per semester hour; up to $4,500 per year). Service members can use federal tuition assistance in conjunction with the Montgomery GI Bill.