This week, the U.S. Senate took an historic vote and passed (75-22) the Webb-Hagel 21st Century GI Bill. The GI Bill passed the House of Representatives earlier this month so now once the two legislative bodies reconcile any differences it will go to President Bush for his signature, signing it into law.
Or maybe not!
Bush along with his clone, McCain, is opposed to this particular legislation and has threatened a veto. Minnesota’s Senator Amy Klobuchar and Senator Norm Coleman both voted for the GI Bill. Only 2 of our representatives in the House voted against this legislation (Bachmann and Kline). 1st CD Congressman Tim Walz, my representative, voted for the legislation and delivered this speech in support on the floor of congress.
This legislation recognizes the sacrifice of ALL the women and men who have served, including our national guard and reservists who have paid a heavy price in Iraq and Afghanistan. It has strong non-partisan support in Congress and has the support of many veterans organizations, including the VFW and the American Legion. Senator McCain’s legislation is not as generous, would not treat the guard and reserve as equals and would require longer service times to be eligible for full benefits. Some may complain about the cost of this program but if we end our occupation of Iraq we will have plenty of extra cash on hand.
Peace & solidarity,
CHC
FYI : Progress is being made on a 21st Century GI Bill. With John McCain/Mitch McConnell opposing Jim Webb’s bill, the guts were included in a bill that the President and the Republicans wanted. The House approved the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 by a vote of 416 to 12 .
And yes, Bachmann and Kline can now send out there re-election propaganda that they voted to support the GI bill.
Some highlights of the bill include :
Expanded GI Benefits for Veterans Education: Expands the education benefits veterans receive under the GI bill to restore the promise of a full, four-year college education and make the veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan part of an American economic recovery, just like the veterans of World War II were. Also allows service members to transfer educational benefits to their spouses and dependents.
Iraq Policy Provisions
• Iraq Reconstruction: Requires that State Department and USAID reconstruction aid for Iraq be matched dollar-for-dollar by the Iraqi Government.
• No Permanent Bases in Iraq: Prohibits military construction funds from being used to establish permanent bases in Iraq.
Military Construction and Veterans Hospitals: $4.6 billion, $2.2 billion above the President’s request, for military construction and veterans hospitals including increases of $863 million for BRAC, $863 million for military hospitals, $396 million for VA hospitals and polytrauma centers, and over $210 million for the military child care centers that the President announced in the State of the Union but never funded.
Extended Unemployment Compensation: Extends unemployment benefits for workers who have exhausted their benefits by up to 13 weeks in every state. The number of Americans looking for work has grown by 800,000 over the last year, and the number of American jobs has declined by 260,000 since the beginning of 2008.
[...] for the construction of military hospitals and some important Iraq policy provisions as noted by Minnesota Central in the comments [...]