Representative Tran’s Bipartisan Bill to Streamline Veterans’ Benefits Unanimously Passes House

Washington, DC - U.S. Representative Derek Tran (CA-45)'s bipartisan bill to streamline the administration of Veterans' educational benefits, introduced alongside Representative Tom Barrett (MI-07), unanimously passed a vote in the House this week. H.R. 3481, the Delivering Digitally to Our Veterans Act,would allow Veterans the option to receive G.I Bill information and benefits through electronic messages rather than traditional mail, reducing unnecessary paperwork and making it easier for Veterans to access their educational benefits online.

The full text of the bill can be found HERE.

"I enlisted in the U.S. Army when I was 18 years old, and I supported my education with the G.I. Bill. I know firsthand how critical these benefits are for ensuring that our Veterans succeed. I'm proud that the bipartisanDelivering Digitally to our Veterans Actpassed the House of Representatives with overwhelming support," said Representative Tran. "Our Veterans have dedicated their lives to serving our country, and we should focus on making the benefits they have rightfully earned accessible in the digital age. I'm honored to join with Rep. Barrett to lead this bipartisan effort to ensure that all our Veterans can easily access their educational benefits to continue learning and thriving."

"The G.I. Bill and Solid Start programs are critical for helping retired service members transition back into their communities and civilian life. It's time we bring them into the 21st century," said Representative Barrett. "Veterans shouldn't have to wait around checking their mailboxes for paper updates about their benefits. This bill allows veterans to receive notifications wherever they are - on their phone, tablet, or computer - like they do with everything else in life. This is an easy fix to a problem that shouldn't exist, and I look forward to keeping the momentum going."

Though the Digital GI Bill (DGIB) modernized the benefits administration process established in the original GI Bill, the current delivery system for Veterans' educational benefits still poses unnecessary complications for Veterans in viewing updates to their GI Bill information. Veterans have reported receiving information via traditional mail, yet they must log in to view changes to their educational benefits in the DGIB system. The Delivering Digitally for Our Veterans Act would authorize the VA to allow digital messaging related to DGIB benefits, enhancing user friendliness and optimizing the efficiency of benefits administration for all Veterans.

As an Army Veteran himself, Representative Tran is committed to delivering for those who have committed their lives to serving this country. His first piece of legislation, the Protect Veteran Jobs Act, supports the livelihoods of the Veterans who were wrongfully removed from their civil service positions and allows them to continue giving back to their country as part of the federal workforce. Tran has also been a vocal advocateof Orange County's first-ever Veteran cemetery at Gypsum Canyon, and signed onto two letters urging federal support for its construction.

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Congressman Derek Tran represents California's 45th Congressional District. Serving his first term in Congress, Congressman Tran is a member of the House Armed Services Committee and House Small Business Committee, where he is Ranking Member of the Oversight, Investigations, and Regulations Subcommittee. Congressman Tran is the son of Vietnamese refugees, a Veteran, and fought for consumers as an attorney before entering Congress.