Sat 5 Jul 2008
Yes! It pays an amount equal to the most expensive in-state public school.
The Bill also creates a new program in which the government will agree to match, dollar for dollar, any voluntary contributions to veterans from institutions whose tuition is more expensive than the maximum educational assistance provided.
I wonder if Williams will create a program for matching voluntary contributions to meet the cost?
July 5th, 2008 at 12:09 pm
McCain opposed this legislation and so did Bush but neither one paused in taking credit for it.
July 5th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
I would like to hear a McCain supporter’s version of the reason for McCain’s opposition. It appears anti-intuitive.
July 5th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
I haven’t found a source in which McCain articulates his issues with the Webb bill but here is one about McCain’s alternative bill authored by Lindsey Graham, from The Hill.
July 5th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
I don’t have a cite, but I know one of his articulated problems at some point was an issue about the number of years in service before benefits accrue. Basically he seemed to think that people are going to join up, risk life and limb, then run off to enjoy their benefits. Don’t know that this actually would be a problem but he claimed it was. Of course, he didn’t stop to think of how many more people would be brought in by much more generous potential benefits that might theoretically off-set (overall) the numbers of folks that might leave.
Other than that, I don’t know that I’ve heard him say why he opposed it. I’d also be curious to know how he can, since he runs around talking about how supportive he is of veterans.
July 5th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yp4prYtBWw
Here is McCain explaining his position on the Webb Bill. He was not present to vote on May 22.
In September, he voted against another Webb bill that would have mandated adequate rest for troops between combat deployments.
On a $1.5-billion increase for veterans medical services for fiscal year 2007 — to be funded through closing corporate tax loopholes — he voted no. He also voted against establishing a trust fund to bolster under-budgeted veterans hospitals.
In May 2006, he voted against a $20-billion allotment for expanding veterans medical facilities.
In April 2006, he was one of 13 Senate Republicans who voted against an amendment to provide $430 million for veterans outpatient care.
In March 2004, he voted against and helped defeat on a party-line vote a $1.8-billion reserve for veterans medical care, also funded by closing tax loopholes.
July 5th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
I don’t know all the facts here, but if this is all true, then there is no little irony here…in that those who so support this war aren’t willing to support legislation in favor of it’s veterans.
July 5th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
If I were a Senator, I would vote for the Webb bill on the condition that 52 billion were cut from a less worthy program or that tax revunes were increased by 52 billion, and then I would lose the next election but be comforted by the fact that I would rather be right than President.
July 5th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
NOTE: Post-pending ‘&fmt=18′ after a YouTube video link will result in display at high resolution (sometimes near-DVD).
Thus: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yp4prYtBWw&fmt=18.
July 5th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=110&session=2&vote=00137
Frosh Mom- The vast majority did support the Webb GI Bill. The vote was 75 to 22 with 3 absent. Hagel and Warner were both co sponsors. It was not only the “right thing to do”; it will add Billions to our tax revenues in the future. Not to mention, recruiting.
To be fair, the US Senate did authorize the invasion of Iraq while it was controlled by the Democratic party holding the majority.
Still, I agree, Republican opposition, and in particular McCain’s opposition to the bill, and his overall record on Veterans legislation, seems ironic.
July 5th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
The great thing about all of this is that the Marine asking McCain the question at the town hall, and every Veteran of this war, including all the Ephs currently serving, will get a free education if they want it. This is a bill we can all be proud of. It is going to help our nation, in every way.
July 5th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
Frank- The original version of the Webb bill was paid for by an increase in taxes for those making over 200k a year… not sure if the funding was included in the final version that passed. I certainly hope it was. We need to stop spending money that we do not have.
Of course, it will more than pay for itself in the future when our country starts collecting revenue from all those who have benefited from this law. People who have served in our military already have the work ethic and discipline engrained in their psyche to succeed in school, and the workforce.
July 5th, 2008 at 5:44 pm
PTC:
It is absolutely terrific that this passed, and something more to celebrate on this weekend. Thank you for posting it.
And your insight about how it will pay for itself is one I don’t think would have occurred to me…but which makes total sense.
It’s an investment with a sure pay-off on every level.
July 5th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
I don’t have enough time to read the links, but in case it wasn’t already said, McCain’s position was that the bill provided too many benefits to those who hadn’t served repeatedly, thus hurting retention rates, especially when we already have to use stop-loss.
Recruitment is an issue the next President will have to face. I’m not sure of the statistics, but standards have been lowered significantly, I believe.
July 5th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
If Obama is President I doubt recruitment will be a problem. First, there is a huge pool of 18-22 year old to recruit from. Second, in an Obama Presidency people will feel far more secure that we will not go to war precipitously or without it being an absolute last resort, and I imagine that will help morale of current and prospective troops enormously. McCain will still get the demographic boost, but on the second point, he faces the same obstacles as Bush …
July 5th, 2008 at 6:52 pm
Will,
Apparently they have (including a lot of waivers of criminal records), and re-up and recruitment fees and bonuses have increased significantly, but the military is still having to rely heavily on stop-losses, from what I understand.
July 5th, 2008 at 7:15 pm
Bring back the draft - it will relieve recruitment pressures but more importantly will make a more equitable society.
July 5th, 2008 at 9:27 pm
NO, NO, NO, and NO, Frank. (excuse me for yelling, but that’s the mom in me giving voice)
Now, that said…no doubt that a draft would not only be more “equitable”, but it also would have meant a whole different trajectory and ‘life span’ to this (tragedy of a) war we have going now.
Oh yeah…threaten to send all the sons and daughters of those on which whose votes and support, this war depended…
July 5th, 2008 at 9:55 pm
Data on stoploss-
http://www.usatoday.com/news/military/2008-04-21-stoploss_N.htm
Larry/ Will- But don’t your points on stop loss make McCain’s argument on retention even weaker? The fact is, you have an eight year inactive reserve contract on every enlistment. The military can, and will, keep people on if they are needed. The Webb Bill will certainly help recruiting.
Perhaps the real question is if the current war, or our nation’s commitment to the war, justifies extending people’s service contracts beyond their Active Duty contractual arrangement and into their inactive reserve time? This is a different question entirely.
If we are already keeping people on an average of 6-7 months beyond their enlistments using inactive reserve time- how will a much larger recruiting draw hurt our military?
Watch the McCain statements on his position.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yp4prYtBWw
July 9th, 2008 at 3:51 am
McCain’s record on veteran’s affairs has been horrible. Here’s a list from VA Watchdog.
July 9th, 2008 at 8:13 am
Nuts-
His record has been very poor. In some of these cases, he proposed less expensive legislation and gave other Senators an out, killing Veterans spending bills.
….and check out how he has voted on womens issues.
He voted against the family leave act that allowes pregnanat women and families to take leave from jobs without penalty.
He voted against increasing SCHIP. Supporting the Bush Veto of that Bill.
That is just to name a couple very high profile Bills. If you are pro reproductive rights, pro choice, then check out his voting record on those issues through planned parenthood and other pro choice organizations. It has always been horrible. 0%.
http://www.ppaction.org/ppvotes/08_antichoicemccain.html