Legislation Causes Controversy

A bill that would allow veterans to use Montgomery GI Bill benefits to start or run their own businesses is causing controversy between veteran groups. The nation’s largest group, the American Legion, came out in support for the Veterans’ Entrepreneurial Transition Business Benefit Act, a bill with a precedent-setting idea of allowing education benefits to be used for something other than training and education. The nation’s largest group of combat veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Veterans Affairs Department (VA) opposes the legislation. The bill has been pending before the panel since January 9, 2009, until the differences can be reconciled. The VA is willing to work with Congress and with the Small Business Administration to find another way to help veterans start up businesses. One concern is that the bill would require VA to make judgments on whether a veteran has a good enough business plan to warrant using GI Bill benefits for temporary financial support. To read this article in full, please go to:http://www.armytimes.com/news/2010/06/military_gibill_businesscosts_061010w/