Today, U.S. Congressman Scott Peters’ (CA-52) bipartisan bill to provide guardsmen and reservists the same educational and employment benefits, regardless of how they were called to serve, passed the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee. Currently, two reservists serving side-by-side on active duty may not receive the same vocational-rehab benefits simply because of the authority under which they were mobilized. Upon separation from active duty, months or years spent deployed as a reservist can count against the 12 years that veterans have to access their benefits.

“Our guardsmen and reservists serve honorably in support of combat missions. They have earned the same employment and education benefits as any other reservist through their service, regardless of the authority under which they were deployed. My bill, the Reserve Component Vocational Rehabilitation Parity Act, will ensure reservists and guardsmen have access to the full 12-year window for vocational-rehab benefits by pausing the clock when they are called to serve our country. I look forward to seeing my bill come to the House floor soon.” said Rep. Peters.

The bill is supported by National Guard Association of the United States and the Reserve Officers Association.

Rep. Peters continues to be a strong advocate for veterans’ issues. Since being named to the House Veterans’ Committee during 115^th Congress, Rep. Peters has introduced and passed an amendment to prohibit the redirection of funds intended to address veterans’ homelessness, a bill to boost veteran peer mentoring that was included in the Veterans’ Affairs MISSION Act, a bill that promotes VA health care transparency and competition, and a bill to extend benefits to all Purple Heart recipients access to post-9/11 GI benefits.