History is Made: New GI Bill Signed into Law

This morning, President Bush signed the new GI Bill into law. With that signature, college became affordable for the 1.7 million troops we sent to Iraq and Afghanistan. It is a promise we made to the veterans of World War II: that those who defend our country should be able to take advantage of America's opportunity. This legislation again fulfills that promise, and will do nothing less than change the course of an entire generation.

There were many different forces that worked together to produce the new GI Bill -- it's a history that deserves its own book. Sadly, President Bush mentioned only two of the four leading sponsors in the Senate, and then thanked the three Senators who had joined the administration in vigorously opposing the GI Bill legislation. That kind of logic is nothing new for this White House, but it's an ungracious ending to what could have been a positive piece of this administration's legacy.

I'd like to take the opportunity to correct the record. Here are a few of the people we worked with at IAVA to make the new GI Bill possible:

• The bipartisan coalition of combat veterans in the Senate -- Webb, Warner, Hagel, Lautenberg, and Akaka -- was the backbone of the fight to get this bill passed. They were joined by Representatives Mitchell, Scott, King, and Brown-Waite in the House.

• The Senate and House leadership deserve real credit for making this a priority. And special thanks to the folks who write the checks -- in particular Representatives Murtha, Edwards and Obey on the Appropriations Committee -- who understood that supporting our veterans is a cost of war.

• Thanks to the vast majority of Congress who rallied behind the GI Bill. In the end, the legislation had 58 cosponsors in the Senate and 303 cosponsors in the House. That kind of support is generally limited to resolutions honoring Mother's Day. (You can personally thank your Senator or Representative here.)

• None of this would have been possible without the united front of the Veterans Service Organizations. Veterans of all generations stood together to ensure that those coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan would get the educational benefits they deserved. Without the dedication and unity of purpose of the VFW, the American Legion, the Student Veterans of America, the Military Officers Association of America and others, this bill could not have been written, much less passed.

Of course, the real force behind the movement for a new GI Bill was Iraq and Afghanistan veterans themselves, advocating in their communities across the country, and the patriotic citizens who joined them in asking their representatives to do the right thing. For all those who contributed time, energy, and effort to help us accomplish this feat, we owe our gratitude. As our nation comes together to celebrate this 4th of July, we can all be extremely proud of this victory.

Comments

[cynara]

Congrats Paul! I've followed your posts about this fight, and I'm happy for you and your fellow vets - you deserve it.

[wrabbitt]

McBush and McSame safe with their government pensions, safe with there pays all health care, why do you think they really give a sh** for the common man? or the Veteran who did what they were told? Our government has moved past caring for the people who pay the bills, or make the ultimate sacrifice. They are more interested in finding another useless coin for us to collect. Will they take liberty off the next one? I won't use or collect any coin that don't say in god we trust. America land of the almighty dollar. best politicians money can buy. Greed was never a qualification for public office in the past.

[Tulka2]

I look forward to the day when a young person can do many kinds of public service and be entitled to educational, medical and housing benifits. In this day there are no real jobs with dignity and the only alternative is to trade blood for oil... this smacks of old Rome.

[TheIndependenceParty]

Thanks, Paul! In the end, the passage of the Bill is its own reward to our Vets, whom we no-longer referred to as "GI's", until now. It also may make them feel that they have a great deal in common with their predecessors in the past. Go to school, ... with our thanks and best wishes.

Bush and McCain and the other fools who attempted to justify and excuse their lack of support, are buffoons! The press conference with Bush congratulating McCain should make great campign fodder in the Fall.

[Tulka2]

There are no dignified jobs for regular non-acidemic kids anymore and we are making military service more attractive... ? Especially at a time when it becomes irrefutable that the whole reason we are in Iraq is oil? While i admire Sen. Webb, we must have other kinds of public service which will get young people the same entitlments as former military. This all smacks of old Rome.

[Appleness]

Paul; If you could check up on my G.I. Rights stolen from me without warning, before I could arrange my life to use them. Maybe my kids could use them now. S/Sgt Ronald R. Moss. Thanks

[americanwhocares]

Here is the pathetic part, McBush (aka McCain) and Bush are now telling the public how much they supported this bill. Liars, both! Bush only signed the bill because the Dems caved in (again) and gave the war criminal everything he wanted to continue his illegal war in Iraq, and the bill passed by veto override majorities, if he had not signed it, his veto would have been overridden. These two people are a disgrace to all Americans. Only the right wing lunatic fringe support them. Bye Bye criminals on 12:00PM January 20, 2009. I am going to insist that President Obama prosecutes all the criminal Bushco to the full extent of the law.

[truthynesslover]

I love how both bush and mccain took credit for this bill passing!

[ReElectNoOne]

I love it when Bush is forced to do something right for a change. Too bad Congress did not force him to do more things right in the past.

At least each gets one vote in their favor. Now if Congress would just impeach Bush they could go to sleep with a clear conscience for once.

[Appleness]

After the bill is signed they can always steal the rights back, like they did from me before I could use them. I was in from '48 to '53, called occupation forces of World War 2. S/Sgt Ronald R. Moss 8th grade education. A little opportunity would have gone a long way then, maybe for my kids now.

[rahgolf]

Apples:
FYI the WW2 GI Bill expired in December 1955!

[MikeMidCity]

Good work Paul getting the people of this country, most of whom have always supported the troops if not the wars they are involved in, united in an effort to show real support.

Now if we could only break the cycle of tours of duty in combat zones.

[BeeClone]

Why isn"t the MSM calling out Bush for including McCain in the Senators he thanked for their work on the New GI Bill.

[Myshkin57]

Now we just need to do something to improve the lives of all the homeless and forgotten vets. But, this is a great move in the right direction.

[civillibertieslost]

This historic bipartisan legislation was passed despite the Whitehouse"s public opposition. Of particular note is the active campaigning against this legislation by that most egregious example of hypocrisy, Sen. John Cornyn R-TX. Cornyn, along with too many other congressmen and senators, wrap themselves tightly in our nation"s flag while campaigning for Iraq War support - and their own reelections. Yet Cornyn, who never wore the uniform, spurs the war forward along with its astronomic cost in soldiers" lives and health, and our tax dollars, while simultaneously campaigning and voting against increasing soldier"s down time between war zone deployments, reducing the number of those deployments, and increasing benefits for their service at our behest. I am a 58 year old Vietnam veteran who long ago made my own peace with those in my generation who decided not to serve during that war. But I cannot keep silent over the slave master conduct of President Bush, Sen. John Cornyn, and others.

[normathumb]

Look at the history of votes of the last couple of decades on veterans issues and there is no questiion that the Democrats have been much stronger supporters of the troops then the Republicans.