Lawmakers predict a new GI Bill [View All]

Supporters of a bill to overhaul veterans’ education benefits are confident they can pass the legislation this year, even after the secretary of defense voiced his opposition to the measure Tuesday.


Lawmakers predict a new GI Bill
By Leo Shane III, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Thursday, May 1, 2008

WASHINGTON — Supporters of a bill to overhaul veterans’ education benefits are confident they can pass the legislation this year, even after the secretary of defense voiced his opposition to the measure Tuesday.

The legislation, introduced by Sens. Jim Webb, D-Va., and Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., would promise full four-year tuition at state universities plus a $1,000 monthly living stipend for all active-duty troops following their military service.

So far, 58 senators and more than 250 representatives have signed on as co-sponsors of the GI Bill legislation, and on Tuesday more than 300 lawmakers and veterans rallied outside the Capitol to gather additional support for the education benefits.

Both House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., spoke at the rally about the importance of better education benefits for returning troops, but neither offered no estimate for when the bill might be put up for a vote.

Webb said the measure could be attached to the 2009 Defense Authorization Bill or the upcoming supplemental budget, but so far no promises have been made to him.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=54458