SE Kansas News

U.S. Senators Jerry Moran, John Hoeven, Jeanne Shaheen, and Michael Bennet have reintroduced legislation aimed at establishing a permanent federal tuition assistance program for members of the Air National Guard. The proposed legislation, known as the Air Guard Standardizing Tuition Assistance to Unify the Services (STATUS) Act, mandates that the Secretary of the Air Force provide tuition assistance to drill-status members of the Air National Guard in a manner consistent with the benefits available to Army National Guard members.

The initiative has garnered support from the National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS). "The men and women in the Air National Guard work alongside their active-duty counterparts to protect our nation and serve our communities," said one of the senators. They emphasized that providing equal educational benefits would help boost recruitment rates and ensure servicemembers receive deserved benefits.

Senator Hoeven stated, "Our Air Guard members deserve to receive the same benefits as their counterparts, both in reserve and active duty components of the military." He highlighted that making permanent an FTA pilot program first established in 2020 would aid recruitment efforts across the country.

Senator Shaheen noted, "Ensuring that the brave women and men serving in the Air National Guard have access to educational opportunities will not only help our recruitment and retention but will also enhance our overall military preparedness." She added that passing this bipartisan legislation would align tuition benefits for Air National Guardsmen with those provided by other service branches.

Senator Bennet remarked on Colorado's significant number of over 1,500 Air National Guardsmen whose contributions are vital for state and national security. He expressed confidence that their bipartisan bill would aid in attracting and retaining talented individuals within the ranks.

NGAUS representatives thanked Senators Hoeven and Shaheen for their ongoing support. They stated, "We must take care of servicemembers who take care of our nation. One way to show gratitude is to invest in their future through federal tuition assistance."