Congressional Desk
Democratic Leadership Identifies New GI Bill As Priority
Washington, D.C. - Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) launched his career in the Unites States Senate this week by introducing
a sweeping expansion of the education and training benefits currently available to the nation's 2.4 million active duty
and reserve members of the armed forces.
The "Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2007" (S.22) is designed to provide veterans with a level of
educational benefits identical to those provided to service members at the end of World War II.
"The Montgomery GI Bill served this nation well during peacetime, but times have unfortunately changed," Webb said.
"The demands placed on soldiers and sailors in the post 9/11 era are much greater than when Congress established
the current program. With many of our military members serving two or three tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, it
is past time to enact a new Veteran's education program modeled on the World War II era GI bill."
Webb said Senate Democratic leaders assigned a low number to this bill (S. 22), signifying that it will be a priority for
consideration early in the new Congress.
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/viewArticle.asp?articleID=18689Real leadership in the Senate. How good is that?