FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, June 19, 2008 CONTACT: Michael Houston, IAVA (212) 982-9699 or
Landslide
Victory for GI Bill in House Today: 416-12
Days
before Anniversary of Original GI Bill, Historic Victory for New GI
Bill
NEW YORK - Today, by an overwhelming
margin of 416-12, the House of Representatives voted in favor of a domestic
spending provision of the war supplemental funding bill which includes
a World War II-style GI Bill for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. This
version of the bill was agreed upon by the House leadership and the
White House in a deal brokered last night. Iraq and Afghanistan
Veterans of America (IAVA) applauds the extraordinary support that both
Democrats and Republicans have shown for this critical legislation and
the progress we've seen in the past 24 hours.
"This Sunday marks 64 years
since President Roosevelt signed the original GI Bill into law and made
education affordable for eight million World War II veterans. Thanks
to the accord reached between House leadership and the White House,
there is now a real chance that we could see a new GI Bill signed within
days of this anniversary," said Paul Rieckhoff, Executive Director
of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. "IAVA is grateful
to Congress and the President for putting partisan differences aside
for the sake of our troops. We are arriving at a truly historic
moment and we call on Congress and the White House to continue moving
the GI Bill forward. We are poised to make history once again and create
the next ‘Greatest Generation.' IAVA would like to thank its tens
of thousands of supporters nationwide for their tireless efforts in
the fight for a new GI Bill."
The GI Bill included in the
war supplemental funding bill voted on today includes the entire
World War II-style GI Bill that IAVA has been championing for over a
year. The final bill will also allow service members who stay
in the military to transfer their education benefits to their spouses
and children. The next steps in the GI Bill fight will be for
the Senate to sign off on this version of the supplemental and get this
hard-fought legislation to the President's desk. 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 non-profit
and nonpartisan organization, IAVA represents more than 95,000 veteran
members and grassroots supporters in all 50 states. To arrange an interview
with Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff or another veteran about his/her
personal GI Bill story, please contact Michael Houston at 212-982-9699
or
.
