Congressman Crow Helps Pass GI Bill Benefits for National Guard Members
National Guard Members Sign Up to Serve Part-Time, But Are Deploying More Than Ever Before
Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06) today helped extend GI Bill benefits for US National Guard and Reserve members. National Guard Members sign up to serve part-time, but they are deploying more than ever before.
The Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act (H.R. 1836), which today passed the United States House of Representatives with a vote of 287-135, will ensurethat every day our National Guard men and women spend in uniform counts toward their GI Bill benefits – just as it does for men and women on active duty. The bill will now proceed to the Senate for consideration.
"National Guard and Reserve Members have stepped up time and time again to serve our nation in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the January 6th Insurrection, national disaster response, the withdrawal from Afghanistan, and much more. Despite their dedication and service, they don't have access to the GI Bill benefits they deserve. It's time we ensure that the service of these men and women counts toward their benefits," said Congressman Jason Crow.
The National Guard has been used at unprecedented levels in recent years – in 2020, they were usedmore and for longer than any time period since World War II.
Most recently, the US National Guard has deployed for:
- COVID Response-ongoing. National Guard from Ohio, Maryland, Delaware and Georgia were mobilized in January 2022 to assist hospital staff
- 1/6 Response:25,000 National Guard Membersmobilized to DC from 54 states and territories
- Natural Disasters Response: In 2020, 1,300 soldiers and airmen from 5 different states were mobilized to fight wildfires on theWest Coast
- Afghanistan withdrawal - Minnesota National Guard's 1st Battalion, 194th Armor Regiment helped secure the airport &Air National Guard units supported the airlift
- Afghan Refugee Resettlement - New Mexico'sBelen-based 919th Military Police Company deployed
Congressman Crow is a former Army Ranger who started his service in the National Guard. He now serves on the House Armed Services Committee.