Senator McCain is MIA on the new GI bill.
Posted 19 weeks 6 days ago bySenator McCain claims to care and support the troops, yet he is Missing In Action when it comes to voting for a new GI bill.
Last week, on Thursday, the Senate passed the 21th Century GI bill, expanding educational benefits for veterans who joined the service after September 11 2001. The bill was sponsored, in a by-partisan way, by Sen. Webb, Sen. Hagel and Sen. Lautenberg.
This is what Sen Webb had to say after the bill's vote: " Congress today resolutely asserted that it is time for those of us who have been calling on these brave men and women to serve again and again to assist in providing a meaningful chance for a first-class future. "
Seventy-five Senators voted to fund the bill, last Thursday, providing a veto proof majority. Yet, not only Sen. McCain did not vote for the bill, he didn't even show up to vote. The vote on the bill was 75 against 22. The new GI bill is projected to cost 2.5 billion a year, more or less the cost of US operations in Iraq for one week.
In the past, Sen. McCain has promised to "do everything " in his power to look after the nation's military. But a look at his record on veterans issues shows that he has favored conservative pandering instead. As matter of fact, Sen.McCain's record on supporting veterans is one of the worst in Congress. The Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) has given Sen. McCain a D grade.
To see the " grades" of our elected officials courtesy of the IAVA go to they web site: http://iava.org/full-ratings-list , and if you have been spared, so far, by the disaster of the " Bush's economic " , you can make a donation ( good thing to do on Memorial day week-end).
What is crystal clear now, is that Senator McCain cares as much about the US military than President Bush.
May be Sen. McCain should follow his " leader" and stop playing golf as well to show his " respect " for the troops?
To find out more about the new GI bill, go to Senator Webb's web site : http://webb.senate.gov/newsroom/record.cfm?id=292863
Note: I am a French filmmaker/photojournalist based in the US since 1983. To view my photo/editorial main web site go to http://www.digitalrailroad.net/Mercier
Thoughts
McCain on the new GI Bill
Submitted on May 28th, 2008 by AnonymousI agree why McCain is against this Bill. I was told he has a good reason for objecting it. Far be it to think McCain will ill treat his fellow veterans.
AC
The servicemen and women do
Submitted on May 25th, 2008 by AnonymousThe servicemen and women do need benefits. Can the country afford to give supersize benefits to someone who served for only a short time? McCain makes sense, if you can get supersize benefits after 4 years, there is no incentive to re-enlist, and we need that in order to keep our troop strength at the highest level. And, long timers, like in any job, deserve more for their longevity.
Its all in the TIMING
Submitted on May 24th, 2008 by janmbAfter ww2 the 1944 Servicemen’s Readjustment Act, or G.I. Bill of Rights, attracts praise as one of the most significant pieces of social legislation.
While the wars are still going strong in Iraq and Afghanistan we need the soldiers to stay in the military so this is not a good time to introduce such a BILL. We don't have a DRAFT and certainly don't expect a overload of citizens to jump at the chance of serving in IRAQ. This kind of bill certainly should be offered when we see troops coming home in significant numbers.