Introduction of A Bill to Amend Title United States Code, to Extend Eligibility for Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance to the Dependent Parent of A Person Who Dies of A Service-Connected Disability or Has A Total and Permanent Service-Connected Disability, and for Other Purposes

Floor Speech

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Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, today, I introduce a bill to expand eligibility for the Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program, commonly referred to as Chapter 35 benefits, to dependent parents of servicemembers.

The idea for this bill came from one of my constituents. Currently, the spouses and children of servicemembers who die or become disabled are eligible for Chapter 35 benefits. However, dependent parents of servicemembers are not eligible.

Parents of servicemembers often fill the role of caregiver for the children of servicemembers while they are overseas. Such time commitments make it challenging for these parents to pursue post- secondary education, making it difficult for them to enter the workforce if their child is killed or becomes disabled in service of their country.

This bill would expand the definition of ``eligible person'' in Chapter 35 to include dependent parents of servicemembers. Granting dependent parents of servicemembers access to Chapter 35 benefits will allow them to gain the necessary skills to enter the workforce and support themselves and other surviving family members.

I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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