Congressional Call to Action
The Enlisted Association of the National Guard (EANGUS) published an Op-Ed in the Military Times decrying the recent move by The Department of Educations to remove important data from the College Scorecard. This move also negatively impacted the G.I. Bill Comparison Tool, hindering the Tool’s ability to provide Student Veterans with critical and up-to-date information. EANGUS published the piece on Friday, October 26, and it seems that Congress heard our call to action. On Monday, October 29, Congress wrote a letter demanding answers from Secretary DeVos. We hope that with Congress’s help the ill-advised decisions by the Department of Education will be reversed.
Defense Health Agency Reprograms Funding
During the month of October, the EANGUS National Office staff became aware of a reprogramming request initiated by the Defense Health Agency (DHA). In September, toward the end of the fiscal year, the Department of Defense (DOD) asked the Congressional Defense Committees to move nearly $900 million from the Defense Health Agency to fund other DOD and Services priorities. EANGUS is unaware of what other programs the funds were moved to support. Such a large reprogramming request, moving funds away from DHA priorities, is concerning. However, this development could potentially provide an opportunity for EANGUS staff to advocate to the 116th Congress that upwards of $900 million of the total funds that DHA requests in Fiscal Year 2020 be used as a payfor for EANGUS priorities such as TRICARE Reserve Select expansion to eligible federal employees, early retirement credit for those who have served on 12304b duty status, and other EANGUS-passed National Resolutions. More information to come.
Student Veterans
The Enlisted Association of the National Guard (EANGUS) is advocating for increased support for Student Veterans nation-wide. There are several chapters of the Higher Education Act that support the goals of improving access to postsecondary education and improving enrollment, persistence, and completion rates. Specifically, there is the ability to create competitive grants for institutions of higher education that go above and beyond in order to support the academic, financial, physical, and social needs of Student Veterans. Through our recent efforts, we believe Congress will provide funding for this program, the Centers of Excellence for Veteran Student Success so that Student Veterans will receive the help they need to reach their goals in higher education.