FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday, May 12, 2008 CONTACT: Michael Houston, IAVA (212) 982-9699 or
Butchers, Bakers, Candlestick Makers -- And Veterans?
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans Demand that a
Small Group of Blue Dog Democrats Stop Delaying the GI Bill
NEW
YORK -Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA),
the nation's first and largest nonpartisan Iraq
and Afghanistan
veterans' group, demands that the few hold-out Democrats stop delaying the "Post-9/11
GI Bill." The new GI Bill has been
included in the war supplemental funding bill, but a House vote on the measure was
postponed last week due to an outcry from a small group of Democrats who oppose
paying for veterans' educational benefits through supplemental funding. The vote should happen later this week.
"The GI Bill is a cost of war as much as any other
expenditure in the supplemental," said Paul Rieckhoff, Executive Director of Iraq
and Afghanistan Veterans of America. "Any member of Congress who votes for a
$170 billion dollar war bill and then votes against the GI Bill is nickel-and-diming
our troops. Veterans of all generations will be outraged by that decision."
"The Post-9/11 GI Bill," originally introduced in the Senate
by a bipartisan coalition of combat veterans including Senators Jim Webb
(D-VA), Chuck Hagel (R-NE), Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) and John Warner (R-VA), has
the endorsement of every major Veterans Service Organization, as well as the
overwhelming bipartisan support of more than 330 Senators and Representatives. Yet last
week, Representative John Tanner (D-TN), a member of the Blue Dog Democrats, made
an insulting and flippant comment about the legislation. In an interview, Tanner remarked, "some
of us oppose creating a new entitlement program in an emergency spending bill,
whether it's butchers, bakers or candlestick
makers."
"Comparing our troops to candlestick makers is insulting and
counterproductive. Furthermore, the notion that the GI Bill is a new
entitlement is ludicrous. It has existed
for more than 60 years. The bill before
Congress simply updates the program so it actually covers the current cost of
college," said Rieckhoff. "IAVA and its
tens of thousands of members nationwide demand that Representative Tanner and all
lawmakers vote to fund a new GI Bill. For all of the members of the House of
Representatives who say they support the troops, this is the time to put their
money where their mouth is."
This week, IAVA is urging its national membership to call
their local representatives and demand that they support a new GI Bill. Much more information is at www.GIBill2008.org
Iraq and
Afghanistan Veterans of America (www.IAVA.org)
is the nation's first and largest group for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. A nonprofit and nonpartisan organization, IAVA
represents more than 90,000 veteran members and civilian supporters in all 50
states. To arrange an interview with Paul Rieckhoff or any other IAVA member
veterans, please contact Michael Houston at (212) 982-9699 or
.
