The Iraq Generation GI Bill

As I mentioned in my post recommending Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA) for Vice President, the first bill he sponsored as a US Senator was S.22, the Post 9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2007. Here's a detailed summary of the benefits the bill would offer servicemembers:

"Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2007 - Amends federal veterans' benefits provisions to entitle to educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill certain individuals who serve on active duty in the Armed Forces on or after September 11, 2001. Requires such individuals to complete the requirements of a secondary school diploma (or its equivalent) before applying for such assistance. Establishes the duration of such assistance (in most cases 36 months) and assistance amounts. Requires programs of education pursued with such assistance to be approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Allows for the pursuit of an approved program of education while on active duty. Allows, under such assistance, for the pursuit of: (1) programs on less than a half-time basis; (2) apprenticeship or other on-job training; (3) correspondence courses; (4) flight training; (5) tutorial assistance; and (6) licensure and certification tests. Requires such educational assistance to be used within 15 years of the individual's discharge or release from active duty (with exceptions). Allows individuals currently under the Montgomery GI Bill educational assistance program to elect to participate in the post-9/11 educational assistance program with respect to any unused entitlement."

So far, Sen. Webb has 50 co-sponsors to this bill - only 9 short of the needed 60 for passage by the Senate. The 51 sponsors (with Sen. Webb) include 42Democrats, among them Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. Hillary Clinton. Noticeably absent from the list is the Republican nominee for President, Sen. John McCain, despite calls from Sen. Webb for McCain to sign on.

Not suprisingly, the White House is opposed to the bill, making the argument that better GI educational benefits are a "retention killer":

The Pentagon and White House have so far resisted a new GI Bill out of fear that too many will use it - choosing to shed the uniform in favor of school and civilian life.

"The incentive to serve and leave," said Robert Clarke, assistant director of accessions policy at the Department of Defense, may "outweigh the incentive to have them stay."

The White House also opposes the bill for financial reasons - the estimated cost of the updated GI bill is around $2 billion dollars annually. To put it another way, the estimated cost of the updated GI bill equals 1 1/2 weeks worth of spending in Iraq.

The VFW, IAVA (Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America), American Legion, MOAA (Military Officers Association of America), VVA (Vietnam Veterans of America) and other military organizations have thrown their support behind Senate Bill 22.

Sen. McCain and other Republican senators who never miss a chance to be photographed with soldiers, loudly sing the praises of the American fighter, and never leave home without their American flag lapel pin have the chance to help and assist the American soldier/sailor/airman/Marine by supporting Senate Bill 22. Talk is cheap Sen. McCain - do the right thing and help this 21st century GI Bill pass the Senate.