Arizona Congressman Abe Hamadeh, a Republican, joined Illinois Democrat Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski in reintroducing legislation that aims to assist veterans in their pursuit of degrees in science, health care and technology. Hamadeh said it was “part of his commitment to work across the aisle for the benefit of our nation’s Service members and Veterans.”
H.R. 2034, the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship Opportunity Act, passed on a unanimous bipartisan vote in the last Congress, and it lifted the requirement that applicants must exhaust their Post 9-11/GI Bill benefits before they can apply. It also lifted the requirement that Veterans must be within 6 months of exhausting their benefits before they are able to apply for the scholarship.
Hamadeh, who sits on both the Armed Services and Veterans’ Affairs committees, says he believes that “meeting the needs of our Veterans should never be partisan and all government programs should be centered around what is best for the Veteran. To that end, this legislation would modify the requirements of the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship to make the program accessible to more Veterans and more responsive to their needs.”
“Given the need for more STEM professionals in our workforce,” says Hamadeh, “there is no reason to require applicants to exhaust their Post 9-11/GI Bill benefits before they can apply.”
“As a Veteran, I know how important opportunities like those provided in this program are to the men and women who have sacrificed so much for our great and grateful nation,” stated Hamadeh. “In light of the fact that 3,500 Veterans have used the scholarship to continue pursuing their degrees in STEM fields in just the last three years, the need to modify the requirements was obvious. Because we need more STEM professionals for our workforce, it only makes sense to facilitate Veterans’ entry into the workforce.”
“I have heard from Veterans across my district about the financial obstacles they’ve faced since leaving active-duty service. Reforming the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship program will give more Veterans the opportunity to advance their skills and fill high-demand roles,” stated Congresswoman Budzinski. “I’m proud to introduce this legislation with Congressman Hamadeh, who I work with on the House Veterans Affairs Committee. Together, we hope to make it easier for our nation’s heroes to pursue careers in good-paying fields like health care, engineering and computer science.”
The Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship Opportunity Act is endorsed by the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Student Veterans of America (SVA), and AMVETS.
“DAV is proud to support the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship Opportunity Act, a bipartisan solution that empowers veterans with the educational resources they need to obtain STEM degrees. We thank Reps. Budzinski and Hamadeh for their leadership and re-introducing this essential legislation that reduces unnecessary barriers for veterans to access their education benefits so they can reach their full potential,” said Joy Ilem, National Legislative Director of Disabled American Veterans (DAV).
“SVA applauds Representative Budzinski and Hamadeh for their leadership in advancing this important legislation to ensure more student veterans can fulfill these high-demand jobs,” said Tammy Barlet, Vice President of Government Affairs for Student Veterans of America (SVA).
