Ken Greenberg, Jewish War Veterans

October 26, 2:36 PM

Thank you to the officials and staff of the Department of Education. My name is Ken Greenberg and I am the National Executive Director of the Jewish War Veterans (JWV) of the United States, a Congressionally chartered Veterans Service Organization (VSO).

I speak today as the voice for thousands of veterans, service members, survivors and their families from across the US who have served in the uniformed services and sought the promise of education they deserved.

I, and JWV call on the Education Department to ensure strong implementation of the new law to close the 90/10 loophole. We all know that the 90/10 loophole resulted in the unfair targeting of the veteran community by aggressive and deceptive college salesmen.

Countless servicemembers, veterans, family members and survivors were viewed as “nothing more than dollar signs in uniform” and many had their lives ruined because of this loophole. JWV thanks the bipartisan list of Members of Congress for acting and closing the 90/10 loophole.

JWV remains concerned that veterans, service members, their families and survivors will still be targeted for another two years, as the final closure of this loophole was statutorily delayed to provide schools time to adjust to the new requirements.

Because of the delay, there is absolutely no reason to regulatorily weaken the law in any way. VSOs would view any attempt to undermine the law as troubling because there’s a built-in mechanism already included, giving schools plenty of time to meet the requirements.

We trust veterans to use their earned GI Bill benefits where they want. What we don’t trust are the schools who have lied to veterans repeatedly, as a pattern of fraud, failing to deliver what they promise. It is because of this kind of behavior that the 90/10 rule exists at all.

Today’s economy demands veterans in the workforce. Industries all across the country need strong leaders. As veterans answered their nation’s call once before, they will do it again. This is why the quality and value of their education is such an imperative.

At Jewish War Veterans, we have not come to these positions lightly, and we stand unwavering in our commitment to seeing this through. We appreciate the time to present our views here today.

…Thank you.

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