Bill > HR1725

This bill aims to address historical racial discrimination in the administration of veterans' benefits by extending housing loan and educational assistance eligibility to Black World War II veterans who were previously denied benefits due to race, as well as their surviving spouses and direct descendants. The bill recognizes that while the original 1944 GI Bill was technically race-neutral, its implementation systematically disadvantaged African American veterans, with only 6% earning college degrees compared to 19% of white veterans, and widespread discrimination in housing and educational opportunities. Specifically, the bill allows Black World War II veterans who can certify they were denied benefits based on race to apply for housing loans, and provides their surviving spouses and descendants the same opportunity within a five-year window. Additionally, the bill establishes a Blue Ribbon Panel to investigate ongoing inequities in veterans' benefits for female and minority service members and develop recommendations for additional assistance. The legislation is named after Sgt. Isaac Woodard, Jr. and Sgt. Joseph H. Maddox, and requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to implement these changes within 90 days of enactment, with the Government Accountability Office (GAO) required to report on the program's implementation and impact within one year.

Business and Industry, Military Affairs and Security

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1725/all-info