Rep. Mike Levin Reintroduces Bipartisan Purple Heart Veterans Education Act to Ensure Transfer of Benefits to Dependents
Washington, D.C.- Today, Rep. Mike Levin (CA-49) and Dr. Greg Murphy M.D. (NC-03) reintroduced the bipartisan Purple Heart Veterans Education Act, H.R. 790, the House companion to the Senate bill by the same name led by Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Thom Tillis (R-NC).
The bill aims to close a loophole that prevents veterans and their family members from accessing benefits and will allow Purple Heart recipients to transfer any unused educational assistance from the GI Bill to their dependents, regardless of when they received the honor.
“After everything they have done for our country, veterans deserve access to the assistance, benefits, and services they are promised,” said Rep. Levin. “This bill will ensure that no matter when a veteran receives their Purple Heart, they will be able to transfer their GI Bill benefits to their family members. I’m looking forward to continuing to work with Rep. Muphy and Senators Murray and Tillis to advance this bipartisan, bicameral effort to help our nation’s heroes and their families.”
"Service members who receive a Purple Heart after leaving active duty should have the flexibility to transfer their GI benefits," said Congressman Greg Murphy. "As the representative of over 76,000 veterans, I am committed to safeguarding their well-earned benefits. This bill ensures that every Purple Heart recipient can transfer their benefits to support their family's education and well-being. Denying these heroes this opportunity is unjust and unacceptable. I am proud to support this legislation and those who have bravely served our nation."
In 2017, Congress passed the Post 9/11 GI Bill, which allows servicemembers to transfer their GI Bill benefits to dependents after six years of service with an additional four-year commitment. In 2018, the Department of Defense expanded this to Purple Heart recipients. However, it excluded those who received their Purple Hearts after their discharge from the military. The Purple Heart Veterans Education Act eliminates this restriction.
The Purple Heart Veterans Education Act was first introduced in the 118th Congress.
Earlier this month, Rep. Levin was appointed to serve on the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee as a new member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee. The Subcommittee has funding jurisdiction over the Department of Veterans Affairs and military construction projects.
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