FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, May 15, 2008 CONTACT: Kara Horowitz, IAVA (212) 982-9699 or
Historic GI Bill Victory in the House of Representatives World War II-Style GI Bill Passed as Part of War Supplemental
NEW YORK - Today, by an overwhelming margin,
the House of Representatives passed the "Post-9/11 GI Bill" (H.R. 5740) as part
of the war supplemental funding bill.
This legislation is strongly endorsed by Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA),
the nation's first and largest non-partisan Iraq
and Afghanistan
veterans' organization. It has the backing
of every major Veterans Service Organization and the extraordinary bipartisan
support of more than 350 Senators and Representatives. Today, 256 lawmakers voted
in favor of the bill.
"We achieved a historic victory in Washington today. The House passage is a significant milestone
in the fight for a World War II-style GI Bill," said Paul Rieckhoff, Executive
Director of Iraq
and Afghanistan Veterans of America. "IAVA and every other major veterans
organization is thrilled that this critical legislation continues to move
forward. Today's vote brings us one step
closer to making higher education affordable for American's newest generation
of veterans."
Today's victory came on the heels of momentum which had built
throughout this week for the "Post-9/11 GI Bill." On Monday, Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA)
signed on as a cosponsor and yesterday, a coalition
of 23
governors called
on Congress to pass the GI Bill. And
today, an op-ed was published in which Former Secretary of Homeland Security and PA
Governor Tom Ridge (R) and Former Sen. Bob Kerrey (D-NE) embraced the legislation.
Next, the "Post-9/11 GI Bill" (S.22) will be considered by
the Senate. The Senate Appropriations
Committee is meeting to discuss the legislation this afternoon, and it is
expected to go to the Senate floor for a vote next week.
"The GI Bill has become an unstoppable force. We have seen incredible support from
lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, but the fight is not over yet," said Rieckhoff. "IAVA urges both the Senate and President
Bush to demonstrate the same bipartisan commitment to our troops that the House
showed today."
Leading up to today's landmark vote, IAVA members across the
country urged their lawmakers to support the "Post-9/11 GI Bill." Thousands of
supporters made phone calls and signed a petition calling for passage of the
crucial legislation. For much more information about the fight for a modern GI
Bill, please visit 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 non-partisan 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 Kara Horowitz at (212) 982-9699 or
.
