WASHINGTON, April 23 (UPI) -- Three Republican U.S. senators say they are proposing a package of new educational benefits for members of the U.S. military.
The proposal would include a $400 per month increase in educational benefits payable to active duty troops. Troops who stay in the military for 12 years or more could draw up to $2,000 per month in college aid, The (Norfolk) Virginian-Pilot reported Wednesday.
The plan, co-sponsored by the presumptive Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain of Arizona, also would allow veterans to apply up to $6,000 per year of aid received through the existing Montgomery GI Bill to pay off student loans.
Another provision of the bill would allow veterans to transfer at least part of their GI Bill benefits to their spouses or children.
"Our legislation improves benefits and modernizes the Montgomery GI Bill education program without creating new levels of red tape and bureaucracy," said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., one of the co-sponsors.
The third co-sponsor of the bill is Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., the newspaper reported.
