5th District Congresswoman Jahana Hayes has presided over debate on the National Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act.  She voted in support of the legislation to make Guardsmen and reservists eligible for GI Bill benefits in more circumstances.  Hayes says those members have been utilized at unprecedented levels recently and they deserve equal access.  The bill passed the House and must still be voted on by the Senate.  The measure would allow any day getting paid and being in uniform on federal orders, including for training, count toward eligibility for school tuition benefits under the post-9/11 GI Bill.   Currently, not all deployments for the National Guard allow them to accrue GI Bill benefits.  Time on active duty for training also doesn't currently count.