WASHINGTON, D.C. – With Veterans’ Day fast approaching, Representative Ann Kirkpatrick is continuing her work to better keep our promises to our fighting men and women. As part of that effort, she today pushed through her bill to ensure the Veterans’ Advisory Committee on Education (VACE) can continue providing oversight and input for Veterans’ education programs. Her legislation, H.R. 2614, was included in the Veterans’ Small Business Assistance and Servicemembers Protection Act that passed the House of Representatives 382-2 this afternoon.

The committee counsels the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) on how to more effectively operate education and training programs for Veterans and their families. Its charter is currently set to expire on December 31. The Congresswoman’s bill reauthorizes the committee until the end of 2015, allowing it to keep fulfilling its vital role as the VA continues to implement the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act.

“Our service members should have access to a first-rate education that will prepare them to excel in new jobs once they leave the military,” said Rep. Kirkpatrick. “The expertise and insight of this committee help our fighting men and women get the opportunities they have earned.”

The committee’s role is set to grow with thousands of Veterans now applying for expanded benefits under the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill. That act is the largest increase in educational benefits for Veterans since the original G.I. Bill in 1944, and helps those who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan further their education and improve their prospects on the job market.

“The new G.I. Bill marks a great victory for our Veterans, but passing that legislation is just part of repaying the debt we owe them,” said Rep. Kirkpatrick. “The next step is ensuring that these benefits work for our Veterans, and this committee is a valuable tool in that effort.”

Rep. Kirkpatrick serves on the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and has repeatedly shown her commitment to our service members. Her work has included leading the fight against the White House’s proposal to charge Veterans’ personal insurance for care of service-related disabilities.

The Congresswoman passed a bill to increase benefits for disabled Veterans, their families and their survivors to help them keep pace with the rising cost of basic needs and introduced a comprehensive measure to increase health care access to Veterans living in rural areas. Last month, legislation that she co-sponsored to guarantee sufficient, timely and predictable health care funding for our Veterans was signed into law.