Legislation that will expand the GI Bill of Rights was signed into law today, despite strenuous opposition by President Bush. Congresswoman Kathy Castor (D-FL) a co-sponsor of the legislation, joined Democratic sponsors Congressman Harry Mitchell and Senator Jim Webb in backing the legislation.

As a co-sponsor of this landmark legislation, Castor said, “This 4th of July, it is important that we recognize the sacrifice of our veterans of past battles, but also those of the brave men and women currently serving in our Armed Forces. With this landmark legislation, we are able to give the men and women who serve our country the opportunity to access our great institutions of higher learning across our nation.”

More than 168,244 men and women from Florida have been deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan. Unfortunately, current benefits pay only about 70 percent of a public college education and 30 percent of a private college education for these veterans when they return home. The expanded GI Bill will restore full, four-year college scholarships to veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. The legislation will also allow veterans to transfer those benefits to family members. 

“For a military currently stretched to the breaking point, this GI Bill for the 21st century will undoubtedly help the services in recruiting and retaining the best American minds for military service,” Castor said. “After opposing it to the very end, I am glad the President finally signed this bill into law. Our hardworking men and women in the field and their families deserve the best of what our country has to offer, including full access to higher education.”

The GI bill signed today provides for full, four-year college scholarships. Veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars from the Tampa Bay area will be able to attend the University of South Florida, Hillsborough Community College, the University of Tampa, and other area educational institutions on scholarship.

Castor represents Florida’s 11th Congressional District, which covers parts of Hillsborough, Pinellas and Manatee counties.