History of the G.I. Bill

On June 22, 1944, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the "Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944," better known as the "GI Bill of Rights." At first the subject of intense debate and parliamentary maneuvering, the famed legislation for veteran of World War II has since been recognized as one of the most important acts of Congress.

During the past five decades, the law has made possible the investment of billions of dollars in education and training for millions of veterans. The nation has in return earned many times its investment in increased taxes and a dramatically changed society.

The law also made possible the loan of billions of dollars to purchase homes for millions of veterans, and helped transform the majority of Americans from renters to homeowners.

An Uncertain Beginning

Though it became law in a fast-paced six months, many in Congress and educators at Colleges and Universities had serious misgivings. Some felt the GI Bill was too expensive and would encourage loth among veterans. Others feared veterans would lower standards in education. But even greater was the pressure to pass something to offset dire economics predictions for the post-war years.

Many saw a postwar America faced with the loss of millions of jobs, creating unprecedented unemployment. A federal survey indicated that 56% of the nation's soldiers anticipated a widespread economic depression after the war.

As early as 1942, plans were being made to handle the anticipated postwar problems. The National Resources Planning Board, a White House agency, had studied postwar manpower needs and in June 1943, recommended a series of programs for education and training.

Establishing the GI Bill

The American Legion is credited with designing the main features of the GI Bill and pushing it through Congress. The Legion overcame objections that the proposed bill was too sweeping and could jeopardize veterans getting any help at all. At the time Congress had already failed to act on about 640 bills concerning veterans.

Members of the American Legion met first in Washington on December 15, 1943, and by January 6 had completed the first draft of the GI Bill. The board outlines were in the final law signed six months later. John Stelle, a former Governor of Illinois, and a leader of the Legion, is credited with drawing up the first draft of the bill that eventually became law.

Introducing the GI Bill

The bill was introduced in the House on January 10th and in the Senate on the 11th. In the House it was sponsored by John Rankin and Edith Nourse Rogers, ranking Democrat and Republican of the Veteran committee. It was introduced in the Senate by Bennett Champ Clark, a Legion founder and chairman of the Senate Veterans subcommittee.

The Legion led a nationwide campaign to win the bill's passage. In Washington, Legion members met with all members of Congress. Almost daily the Legion would send out telegrams to local Legion members, telling them which members of Congress were uncertain about or opposed to the legislation. This prompted a flood of letters and phone calls urging legislators to support the bill.

Passage of the GI Bill

Passage came fist in the Senate, on March 24, by 50 to 0 vote. At first the bill was bottled up in a House committee. When it finally reached a vote on May 18, it passed 387 to 0.

The struggle was not over. When a conference committee debated the difference in the Senate and House versions, the bill almost died. The Senate members agreed on one provision but the House delegation split 3-3 and the committee chairman refused to vote a sick member's authorized proxy. The bill was saved by rushing Rep. John Gibson from Georgia to cast his tie-breaking vote.

Approval of the GI Bill

The Senate approved the final form of the bill on June 12, and the House followed on June 13. President Roosevelt made it law on June 22, signing it in the presence of five Legionnaires and several members of Congress.

Subsequent legislation for veterans, often also called GI Bills, has adjusted benefits over the years to fit the changes of America.

Men and women in uniform still earn education benefits. Instead of being used to help veterans ease into civilian life, education benefits now are offered as an incentive to join the current all-volunteer military forces. Home-loan guarantees have been increased from the $2,00 guarantees that sufficed after World War II, to a maximum of $46,000 today, which allows a veteran to finance a home with a loan up to $184,000 without a down payment.