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Sgt. Isaac Woodard, Jr. and Sgt. Joseph H. Maddox GI Bill Restoration Act of 2025

USA119th CongressHR-1725| House 
| Updated: 3/27/2025
Seth Moulton

Seth Moulton

Democratic Representative

Massachusetts

Cosponsors (38)
Nikema Williams (Democratic)Robin L. Kelly (Democratic)Ritchie Torres (Democratic)Christopher R. Deluzio (Democratic)Ilhan Omar (Democratic)Troy A. Carter (Democratic)Steven Horsford (Democratic)Debbie Dingell (Democratic)Suzan K. DelBene (Democratic)Donald G. Davis (Democratic)Ro Khanna (Democratic)Henry C. "Hank" Johnson (Democratic)Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (Democratic)Mark DeSaulnier (Democratic)Joseph D. Morelle (Democratic)Emilia Strong Sykes (Democratic)Marilyn Strickland (Democratic)Gregory W. Meeks (Democratic)Jahana Hayes (Democratic)Jerrold Nadler (Democratic)Sydney Kamlager-Dove (Democratic)Lucy McBath (Democratic)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)Norma J. Torres (Democratic)Timothy M. Kennedy (Democratic)Mike Quigley (Democratic)Sean Casten (Democratic)James P. McGovern (Democratic)James E. Clyburn (Democratic)Julia Brownley (Democratic)Yvette D. Clarke (Democratic)Bennie G. Thompson (Democratic)Deborah K. Ross (Democratic)Nanette Diaz Barragán (Democratic)Gwen Moore (Democratic)Rashida Tlaib (Democratic)Kweisi Mfume (Democratic)Judy Chu (Democratic)

Veterans' Affairs Committee, Economic Opportunity Subcommittee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill addresses historical discrimination faced by Black World War II veterans in accessing benefits under the original GI Bill. Despite the race-neutral language of the 1944 Servicemen's Readjustment Act, its administration led to a pattern of discrimination, particularly against African Americans, in areas like housing loans and educational opportunities. Many Black veterans were denied access to higher education and excluded from housing guaranty programs, preventing them from achieving the full economic prosperity offered by the post-war period. To rectify these past injustices, the bill extends eligibility for certain benefits administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Specifically, it allows Black World War II veterans who were denied benefits due to race, along with their surviving spouses and certain direct descendants , to apply for VA-guaranteed housing loans. Furthermore, surviving spouses and direct descendants of these veterans can apply for educational assistance. These new eligibility periods are limited to five years from the bill's enactment. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs is mandated to implement these changes and prescribe necessary regulations within 90 days. The Comptroller General will also report to Congress on the number and value of benefits distributed under these new provisions. Additionally, the bill establishes a Blue Ribbon Panel of independent experts to develop recommendations for additional benefits and assistance specifically for female and minority veterans, with a report due to Congress and the President within one year.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-8889
Sgt. Isaac Woodard, Jr. and Sgt. Joseph H. Maddox GI Bill Repair Act of 2020

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-5905
Sgt. Isaac Woodard, Jr. and Sgt. Joseph H. Maddox GI Bill Restoration Act of 2021

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-1255
Sgt. Isaac Woodard, Jr. and Sgt. Joseph H. Maddox GI Bill Restoration Act of 2023
Feb 27, 2025
Introduced in House
Feb 27, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Mar 27, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-8889
    Sgt. Isaac Woodard, Jr. and Sgt. Joseph H. Maddox GI Bill Repair Act of 2020


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-5905
    Sgt. Isaac Woodard, Jr. and Sgt. Joseph H. Maddox GI Bill Restoration Act of 2021


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-1255
    Sgt. Isaac Woodard, Jr. and Sgt. Joseph H. Maddox GI Bill Restoration Act of 2023


  • February 27, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • February 27, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.


  • March 27, 2025
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.

Armed Forces and National Security

Administrative law and regulatory proceduresAdvisory bodiesConflicts and warsCongressional oversightDepartment of Veterans AffairsEmployment discrimination and employee rightsGovernment studies and investigationsMilitary personnel and dependentsMinority employmentRacial and ethnic relationsVeterans' education, employment, rehabilitationVeterans' loans, housing, homeless programsWomen's employment

Sgt. Isaac Woodard, Jr. and Sgt. Joseph H. Maddox GI Bill Restoration Act of 2025

USA119th CongressHR-1725| House 
| Updated: 3/27/2025
This bill addresses historical discrimination faced by Black World War II veterans in accessing benefits under the original GI Bill. Despite the race-neutral language of the 1944 Servicemen's Readjustment Act, its administration led to a pattern of discrimination, particularly against African Americans, in areas like housing loans and educational opportunities. Many Black veterans were denied access to higher education and excluded from housing guaranty programs, preventing them from achieving the full economic prosperity offered by the post-war period. To rectify these past injustices, the bill extends eligibility for certain benefits administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Specifically, it allows Black World War II veterans who were denied benefits due to race, along with their surviving spouses and certain direct descendants , to apply for VA-guaranteed housing loans. Furthermore, surviving spouses and direct descendants of these veterans can apply for educational assistance. These new eligibility periods are limited to five years from the bill's enactment. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs is mandated to implement these changes and prescribe necessary regulations within 90 days. The Comptroller General will also report to Congress on the number and value of benefits distributed under these new provisions. Additionally, the bill establishes a Blue Ribbon Panel of independent experts to develop recommendations for additional benefits and assistance specifically for female and minority veterans, with a report due to Congress and the President within one year.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-8889
Sgt. Isaac Woodard, Jr. and Sgt. Joseph H. Maddox GI Bill Repair Act of 2020

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-5905
Sgt. Isaac Woodard, Jr. and Sgt. Joseph H. Maddox GI Bill Restoration Act of 2021

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-1255
Sgt. Isaac Woodard, Jr. and Sgt. Joseph H. Maddox GI Bill Restoration Act of 2023
Feb 27, 2025
Introduced in House
Feb 27, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Mar 27, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-8889
    Sgt. Isaac Woodard, Jr. and Sgt. Joseph H. Maddox GI Bill Repair Act of 2020


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-5905
    Sgt. Isaac Woodard, Jr. and Sgt. Joseph H. Maddox GI Bill Restoration Act of 2021


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-1255
    Sgt. Isaac Woodard, Jr. and Sgt. Joseph H. Maddox GI Bill Restoration Act of 2023


  • February 27, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • February 27, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.


  • March 27, 2025
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
Seth Moulton

Seth Moulton

Democratic Representative

Massachusetts

Cosponsors (38)
Nikema Williams (Democratic)Robin L. Kelly (Democratic)Ritchie Torres (Democratic)Christopher R. Deluzio (Democratic)Ilhan Omar (Democratic)Troy A. Carter (Democratic)Steven Horsford (Democratic)Debbie Dingell (Democratic)Suzan K. DelBene (Democratic)Donald G. Davis (Democratic)Ro Khanna (Democratic)Henry C. "Hank" Johnson (Democratic)Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (Democratic)Mark DeSaulnier (Democratic)Joseph D. Morelle (Democratic)Emilia Strong Sykes (Democratic)Marilyn Strickland (Democratic)Gregory W. Meeks (Democratic)Jahana Hayes (Democratic)Jerrold Nadler (Democratic)Sydney Kamlager-Dove (Democratic)Lucy McBath (Democratic)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)Norma J. Torres (Democratic)Timothy M. Kennedy (Democratic)Mike Quigley (Democratic)Sean Casten (Democratic)James P. McGovern (Democratic)James E. Clyburn (Democratic)Julia Brownley (Democratic)Yvette D. Clarke (Democratic)Bennie G. Thompson (Democratic)Deborah K. Ross (Democratic)Nanette Diaz Barragán (Democratic)Gwen Moore (Democratic)Rashida Tlaib (Democratic)Kweisi Mfume (Democratic)Judy Chu (Democratic)

Veterans' Affairs Committee, Economic Opportunity Subcommittee

Armed Forces and National Security

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresAdvisory bodiesConflicts and warsCongressional oversightDepartment of Veterans AffairsEmployment discrimination and employee rightsGovernment studies and investigationsMilitary personnel and dependentsMinority employmentRacial and ethnic relationsVeterans' education, employment, rehabilitationVeterans' loans, housing, homeless programsWomen's employment