Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) joined a bipartisan, bicameral group of lawmakers submitting an amicus brief to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in support of the Commonwealth of Virginia, the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW), Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), and individual veterans and their families. Rep. Wittman expects that the court will find the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) current rules limiting GI Bill use as unlawful. In 2023, Congressman Wittman filed a similar brief to the Supreme Court and applauded the Court’s ensuing 7-2 decision to restore full educational benefits to veterans. In filing today, Representative Wittman continues to fight for veterans to ensure that they can access the benefits they earned through honorable service.

“America’s servicemembers honored their commitment to defend this country, and we must honor our commitment to them. I applaud the steps the Department of Veterans Affairs is taking to move forward on ensuring veterans receive the education benefits they earned through their service to our nation,” said Rep. Wittman.

“The GI Bill remains one of the most important commitments our nation makes to the men and women who volunteer to wear the uniform,” Rep. Wittman continued. “Ensuring full access to these benefits supports military families and ensures our veterans have the opportunities they need to contribute to a strong workforce. I will continue working with my colleagues in Congress and the administration to ensure our veterans receive the education benefits they have earned through their service.”

Representative Wittman was joined in filing this brief by a bipartisan, bicameral delegation including Sens. Tim Kaine, Mark Warner, and Richard Blumenthal; and Reps. John McGuire, Robert C. “Bobby” Scott, Jennifer McClellan, Eugene Vindman, Don Beyer, Suhas Subramanyam, and James Walkinshaw.

Background:

In Rudisill v. McDonough, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of Richmond Army veteran James Rudisill, affirming that veterans who qualify for both the Montgomery GI Bill and the Post-9/11 GI Bill are entitled to access the full education benefits they earned through their military service. Since the ruling, the Department of Veterans Affairs has not fully implemented this rule.