Congress of the United States Washington, BE 20515 March 16, 2016 ‘The Honorable Rodney Frelinghuysen ‘The Honorable Pete Visclosky Chairman Ranking Member Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense USS. House of Representatives USS. House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515 Washington, DC 20515 Dear Chairman Frelinghuysen and Ranking Member Visclosky: We write to express our continued support for the Department of Defense Military Tuition Assistance program, and ask that you fund it at levels equal to the President’s FY2017 budget request of $596,265,000, ‘The Military Tuition Assistance program is a benefit paid to eligible members of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard to support their educational goals while serving in the military. Congress has historically given each service the ability to pay up to 100% for the tuition expenses of its members. On top of the already demanding schedules of our Service Members, college courses covered under Tuition Assistance are taken during off-duty hours. To echo the words of former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey, “the military is [one of the biggest] customers of our nation’s education system.” ‘The Military Tuition Assistance program is one of the most important benefits we offer our service members. The tens of thousands of degrees our service members earn yearly through this gram help them to better serve their country. Just as important, this education benefits our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines in professional pursuits after they leave uniformed service. It is an imperative program that deserves Congress’ continued support, For these reasons, we strongly urge to you to include language in the FY17 defense appropriations bill to fund the Military Tuition Assistance program at the President’s requested level. ‘Thank you for your efforts and consideration of this request. Sincerely, oto Olu. J BetS O'Rourke Chris Gibsot Member of Congress Member of CongressTerri A. Sewell Member of Congress hn Lewis. lember of Congress Loretta Sanchez Member of Congress alter B. Jdnest ‘Member of Congress ‘Ann Hirkpatrit Member of Congress _ Eric Swalwell Member of Congress ann # Noctn Eleanor Holmes Norton Member of Congress ce ee André Cafson Member of Congress Sean Patrick Maloney Member of Congress Danie! Lipinski Member of Congress Mah tabecersn— Mark Takano Member of CongressUE Pok- Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan Mark Pocan Member of Congress Member of Congress Bartana che Barbara Leo Member of Congress Julla Brownie Member of Congress « Donald M. Payne, Jr. Member of Congress Member of Congress “Member of Congress Butterfield er of Congress Member of GongressMelick Cre f— ‘Matt Cartwright ‘Stephen F. Lynch Member of Congress Member of Congress feve Cohen fember of Congress faa Mee 2 coik Capps Member of Congress Member of Congress Member of Cbhgress Scott. Peters Member of Congress P. McGovern Methber of Congress Member of Congress4 fark Takai Member of Congress er of Congress ‘Ann MeLane Kuster f Member of Congress Member of Congress Mark DeSaulnier a Reale a 3 SF oS Member of Congress Member of Congress ao Aus Cableed. Lo FZ OE Tulsi Gabbard ‘Timothy J. Walz Member of Congress ‘Member of Congress