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H.R.5947 / 110th Congress

Returning Soldiers' Bill of Rights Act

Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · May 1, 2008

Returning Soldiers' Bill of Rights Act - Entitles to basic educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill a member of the Armed Forces or reserves who, on or after September 11, 2001, serves at least six months of active duty in support of a contingency operation and, after completion of such duty, is discharged or released under honorable conditions or for a service-connected disability, preexisting medical condition, hardship, or certain physical or mental conditions. Entitles such individuals to 36 months of educational assistance. Allows such assistance to be used for: (1) pursuit of a program of education while on active duty; (2) programs of education pursued on a less-than-half-time basis; (3) apprenticeship or other on-job training; (4) correspondence courses; (5) flight training; (6) tutorial assistance; and (7) licensure or certification tests.

Makes individuals entitled to such assistance eligible for supplemental educational assistance for additional service.

Allows individuals entitled to such assistance to: (1) transfer such entitlement to a spouse, one or more children, or a combination thereof; or (2) apply such assistance to the repayment of federal student loans.

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Requires (with exceptions) the use of such assistance within twenty years after the individual's last discharge or release from active duty.

Requires individuals eligible under both the above program and the regular Montgomery GI Bill educational assistance program to elect one program for participation.

Repeals the home loan guaranty fees charged to veterans.

Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide to each individual entitled to assistance under this Act a readjustment housing allowance of up to $6,000.

Authorizes appropriations for FY2009-FY2012: (1) for veterans' employment and training programs; and (2) to carry out the Service Members Occupational Conversion and Training Act.

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Who introduced it

Rep. King, Peter T. [R-NY-3] · R–NY

Committees

  • Veterans' Affairs Committee
4 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

  2. Introduced in House

  3. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Aug 14, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Objective

Analyze H.R.5947 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

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