Coalition Rises to Defend Veterans’ Rights at the Supreme Court

42 State Attorneys General Unite in Bipartisan Call for Justice in Rudisill v. McDonough.

In a robust show of bipartisan unity, Attorney General Jason Miyares of Virginia has gathered support from attorneys general across the nation, urging the Supreme Court to deliver justice for veterans in a landmark case, Rudisill v. McDonough.

This diverse coalition, spanning 40 states, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, is united behind one man, James Rudisill, a decorated army veteran from Virginia who has been in the thick of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The mission? To right a wrong that, according to them, could change the fate of countless veterans seeking to reintegrate into civilian life.

Rudisill’s journey began after his first tour of duty, leveraging the Montgomery GI Bill to pursue higher education and subsequently returning to the army as a commissioned officer. His bravery on the battlefield earned him the revered Bronze Star. The narrative took an unfortunate twist when the Department of Veterans Affairs denied Rudisill his Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits as he aimed to further his education at the Yale Divinity School. This, despite regulations that allow veterans with multiple service periods to earn up to 48 months of educational benefits.

A perplexing decision by the VA saw Rudisill’s benefits denied, even as multiple courts objected. However, the en banc U.S. Court of Appeal for the Federal Circuit echoed the VA’s stance, setting a potential precedent that could affect thousands of veterans.

The crux of Attorney General Miyares’ argument hinges on the criticality of the benefits veterans are promised, ones that are rightfully earned. Miyares poignantly noted, “As a country, we will always be indebted to our veterans. The benefits veterans earn from their service is the least we can do to try and repay their sacrifice.” This perspective, shared by attorneys general, both Republican and Democratic, underlines the perceived injustice of the Federal Circuit’s decision.

With the support of states ranging from Alabama to Wyoming, this bipartisan call for justice reflects the nation’s collective effort to ensure that veterans like Rudisill, who have put their lives on the line for their country, are not denied the benefits they rightly deserve.

The Supreme Court’s decision on this case could set a precedent that reverberates across the nation, impacting thousands of brave men and women who served. As citizens wait with bated breath, it’s clear that this is not just about one man’s rights but about upholding the promise made to every veteran.

Read the brief HERE.