To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to update the payment system of the Department of Veterans Affairs to allow for electronic fund transfer of educational assistance, administered by the Secretary, to a foreign institution of higher education.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 7375) to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to update the payment system of the Department of Veterans Affairs to allow for electronic fund transfer of educational assistance, administered by the Secretary, to a foreign institution of higher education.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to insert extraneous material on H.R. 7375.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7375, introduced by Representative Mikie Sherrill.

This legislation directs VA to finally update its student payment systems to allow for educational assistance funds to be transmitted electronically to a foreign institution of higher education, as long as the institution is providing an approved course of study. Our committee has heard from students and schools about the impact of VA's inability to modernize its systems for student payments.

The bill has bipartisan support as well from Disabled American Veterans, Student Veterans of America, Veterans Education Success, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Madam Speaker, Representative Sherrill's legislation is a response to strong advocacy for our student veterans studying abroad who are often unsure how their benefits will translate overseas.

Madam Speaker, I thank her for offering this legislation, I urge support and passage, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in passing H.R. 7375, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 7375, a bill that would streamline the payment of GI Bill benefits.

Specifically, the bill would require that, within 90 days of enactment, VA update the electronic fund transfer system for education benefits. Without this change, an overseas school is required to maintain a U.S.-based bank account so that VA can electronically transfer payments for VA beneficiaries who attend their institution. This requirement has kept some schools from participating in the GI Bill. This leads to fewer educational choices for our veterans.

I am pleased that this bill would address this issue and expand opportunities for veterans to use their hard-earned education benefits.

Madam Speaker, I encourage all of my colleagues to support H.R. 7375, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.