WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

S. 649 · 119th Congress

Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act of 2025

IntroducedArmed Forces and National Security
IntroducedFeb 20, 2025
Passed SenateNot yet
Passed HouseNot yet
To PresidentNot yet
Became lawNot yet

Where it stands

Introduced. Latest step, Mar 18, 2026: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably. It would change 1 section of existing law.

How this bill changes the law

Sourced

S. 649 would change 1 section of existing law. Read from the bill text as introduced in the Senate (Feb 20, 2025).

38 U.S.C. 3301 Definitions

  • (1) The term "active duty" has the meanings as follows (subject to the limitations… rewritten · Sec. 2(a) · see the words
What the words would change: every change, in place (3)

Today's wording of each part of the law, with what would be struck out and added. Each change also gives the bill's own instruction, word for word.

  1. 38 U.S.C. 3301(1)rewrittenby S. 649 Sec. 2(a)

    (B) In the case of members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces—(i) service on active duty (as defined in section 101(d) of title 10), inactive-duty training (as defined in section 101(d) of title 10), or annual training duty; or(ii) service on active duty under a call or order to active duty under section 688, 12301(a), 12301(d), 12301(g), 12301(h), 12302, 12304, 12304a, or 12304b of title 10 or section 3713 of title 14, but not including inactive duty training (as defined in section 101(d) of title 10) or annual training duty.

    The bill says: by amending subparagraph (B) to read as follows:

  2. 38 U.S.C. 3301(1)(C)(i)changedby S. 649 Sec. 2(a)

    (i) in the National Guard of a State for the purpose of organizing, administering, recruiting, instructing, or training the National Guard; or

    The bill says: in clause (i), by striking "; or" and inserting a semicolon; and

  3. 38 U.S.C. 3301(1)(C)changedby S. 649 Sec. 2(a)

    (ii) in the National Guard when performing full-time National Guard duty (as defined in section 101 of title 32); or(iii) in the National Guard when performing active duty (as defined in section 101 of title 32).

    The bill says: by striking clause (ii) and inserting the following new clauses:

From the bill's official text on GovInfo and the U.S. Code, 2024 edition, which may not yet show changes made since.

What it does

Sourced

Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act of 2025

This bill expands eligibility for Post-9/11 educational assistance for members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces and members of the National Guard. Specifically, the bill expands the types of activities that count towards Post-9/11 GI Bill eligibility to include active duty, inactive-duty training, annual training duty, and full-time National Guard duty or active duty. (Generally, under current law, only federal active duty counts towards educational assistance eligibility.)

Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Introduced in Senate, Feb 20, 2025).

Our plain-language breakdown, with what it means for you and the case for and against, is written once a bill starts to move.

What has happened

Sourced
  1. Mar 18, 2026Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.Senate
  2. May 21, 2025Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 119-86.Senate
  3. Feb 20, 2025Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.Senate
  4. Feb 20, 2025Introduced in SenateLibrary of Congress

Show key steps only

Cosponsors

  • Angela D. Alsobrooks D-MD
  • Tammy Baldwin D-WI
  • Richard Blumenthal D-CT
  • Cory A. Booker D-NJ
  • Margaret Wood Hassan D-NH
  • Jeff Merkley D-OR