Freeze on Bush rules won’t delay GI Bill

[unhappycamper]

Freeze on Bush rules won’t delay GI Bill
By Rick Maze - Staff writer
Posted : Thursday Jan 22, 2009 17:16:41 EST

President Obama’s government-wide freeze on implementing regulations prepared by the Bush administration will not delay work on rules covering the Post-9/11 GI Bill, Veterans Affairs Department officials said Thursday.

After months of negotiation with Bush administration regulators at the White House Office of Management and Budget, VA published proposed rules for the benefits program Dec. 23. It is accepting comments through tomorrow that will be used in preparing final regulations.

The new GI Bill program, which promises to cover full tuition at a four-year public college or university plus living and book allowances, takes effect Aug. 1.

VA spokesman Steve Westerfeld said the freeze on regulations ordered by Obama on Tuesday, his first day in office, prevents the publication of proposed rules and halts issuance of final rules — but it does not delay work on the GI Bill rules, which are “proposed” in their current form and are not yet final.

“VA will continue to review the comments submitted on the proposed rule,” Westerfeld said.


Rest of article at: http://armytimes.com/news/2009/01/military_gibill_newadministration_012209w/%2e