House lawmakers unite behind GI Bill expansion

House lawmakers have reached a deal to expand the nation’s GI Bill, which gives veterans money to go to college. The bipartisan expansion package removes the 15-year limit for accessing benefits and increases funds for those in the National Guard and Reserve. Lawmakers wanted to give service members more time to use their college benefits because many aren’t ready to enroll in classes as soon as they leave the military, especially if they suffer from PTSD or other issues related to overseas deployments. Only about 200,000 service members who transition into civilian life each year enroll in college, according to Student Veterans of America. House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., said the GI Bill reforms would better help veterans become a productive part of the workforce. Total government spending on the GI Bill is expected to be more than $100 billion over 10 years. House lawmakers expect to pass the bill through the committee process next week. The Senate also plans to consider a companion bill soon.