Commitment to Veterans
Senator John McCain has sidestepped the issue of supporting the GI Bill for the 21st Century. By so doing, he has cast doubt on his commitment to our newest generation of American heroes.
The Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act, sponsored by Vietnam Veterans, Senator Jim Webb and Senator Chuck Hagel will restore the promise of a cost-free education to those who serve in the military. The original GI Bill transformed American history, by providing educational benefits for returning soldiers. That GI Bill not only recognized our nation’s moral duty for the enormous sacrifices of our World War II veterans, but it helped create America’s middle class and spurred decades of economic growth for our country. Economists estimate that the original bill returned, as much as, $13 for every dollar we spent. The original GI Bill has become woefully outdated, to the point where the average benefit doesn’t even cover half the cost of an in-state student’s education at a public college.
The Post-9/11 Veterans Act, which has an estimated cost of between $2.5 billion and $4 billion, is common sense legislation. With 51 cosponsors, including nine Republicans, the three other Vietnam War veterans in the Senate and former Secretary of the Navy John Warner, the bill updates what has been called “the best piece of legislation ever passed by Congress.”
The bill faces filibusters and will need 60 cosponsors. As the de facto leader of the Republican party, McCain has resisted signaling other Republicans to sign on to the bill, which would assure its passage. Although, the bill has been around since before McCain started running for president, he claims not to have had time to read the bill and isn’t sure if he could support it. It’s time for McCain to demonstrate leadership and a commitment to veterans.
The Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act, sponsored by Vietnam Veterans, Senator Jim Webb and Senator Chuck Hagel will restore the promise of a cost-free education to those who serve in the military. The original GI Bill transformed American history, by providing educational benefits for returning soldiers. That GI Bill not only recognized our nation’s moral duty for the enormous sacrifices of our World War II veterans, but it helped create America’s middle class and spurred decades of economic growth for our country. Economists estimate that the original bill returned, as much as, $13 for every dollar we spent. The original GI Bill has become woefully outdated, to the point where the average benefit doesn’t even cover half the cost of an in-state student’s education at a public college.
The Post-9/11 Veterans Act, which has an estimated cost of between $2.5 billion and $4 billion, is common sense legislation. With 51 cosponsors, including nine Republicans, the three other Vietnam War veterans in the Senate and former Secretary of the Navy John Warner, the bill updates what has been called “the best piece of legislation ever passed by Congress.”
The bill faces filibusters and will need 60 cosponsors. As the de facto leader of the Republican party, McCain has resisted signaling other Republicans to sign on to the bill, which would assure its passage. Although, the bill has been around since before McCain started running for president, he claims not to have had time to read the bill and isn’t sure if he could support it. It’s time for McCain to demonstrate leadership and a commitment to veterans.
posted by Jim O'Leary | 12:41 AM
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