WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Pat Roberts today voted in favor of legislation to significantly expand GI Bill benefits to veterans. The bill updates the educational benefit by increasing overall funding and flexibility for those who have served since September 11, 2001.

"Harry Colmery, a Kansan, drafted the first GI Bill and today, in this Kansas tradition, I supported an increase in GI Bill benefits to our veterans," Senator Roberts said. "Let there be no doubt that those who go in harms way to fight the War on Terror, our men and women in uniform, will be afforded every opportunity to continue their education after serving their country."

Roberts went on to say, "We must help provide our returning veterans the tools they need to transition back to their private lives. An expanded GI Benefit will help to encourage service members to pursue an educational course, whether it includes college or other forms of training or certification programs."

Senator Roberts, a former Marine is an outspoken advocate for men and women in uniform and their families. He has also sponsored legislation to allow service members the ability to transfer earned Montgomery GI Bill educational benefits to their spouses and children. Roberts also included language in the Higher Education Act which creates a scholarship for family members of veterans and members of the military. The Military Family Members Scholarship amendment establishes need-based scholarships for spouses and children with the maximum award for each academic year being $5,000.

Senator Roberts, recently attended several veterans events in Kansas. In Wichita, Roberts visited the Wichita/Robert J. Dole Veterans Affairs (VA) to celebrate its 75^th anniversary along with VA Secretary James Peake. In Hutchinson, Roberts was on hand to dedicate the Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC), which will help provide access to high quality care to rural veterans. Finally in Great Bend, Senator Roberts spoke to the Kansas American Legion’s Annual Convention where he was recognized as an honorary member of the Patriot Guard Riders.

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