The VOTE on S. 22, Post 9/11 Vets Educ. Act of 2007

If you Veterans and/or families of Veterans and/or patriotic Americans who know the good that bills commonly know as the G.I. Bill of the past have done for our nation, this is a bill to support, especially now that the Senate has gotten those amnesty amendment tag-alongs by the "give citizenship to lawbreakers" first crowd. Many conservatives were against the bill in its early stages due to the abominable amnesty amendment add-on methods. The following is a synopsis of S.22, Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2007 sponsored by Senator Jim Webb and co-Sponsored by Senator John Warner, both of the Commonwealth of Virginia: FACTS ABOUT THE “POST-9/11 VETERANS EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE ACT” (S. 22) The bipartisan Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act (S. 22) expands the educational benefits for those who have served since September 11, 2001. S. 22 not only takes into account the substance and intent of the educational benefits received under the original World War II GI Bill, but also the reality of costs associated with college education today. A companion bill, the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance (H.R. 2702), has been introduced in the House of Representatives by Representative Bobby Scott (D-VA). SIGNIFICANT PROVISIONS OF S.22 • Under this bill, the full basic educational benefit will allow GIs who have honorably served to have the full cost of tuition covered at any public college or university in their home state of residence. The cost of tuition would be capped at the most expensive in-state public school, with a monthly stipend tied to the Department of Defense’s geographic rate for housing, plus a small stipend for books. S. 22 would also allow additional payments for tutorial assistance, as well as licensure and certification tests. For veterans who choose to attend a private college or university - or an out-of-state public college or university - this basic benefit might not cover the full costs of tuition. • S. 22 will provide an educational enhancement for veterans who complete at least 36 months of active duty service. Under this concept, the federal government will match - dollar for dollar - any additional financial contributions private and public colleges and universities voluntarily contribute. This new program will be titled “The Yellow Ribbon GI Educational Enhancement Program.” This program would vastly increase the educational choices for veterans, commensurate with the choices that World War II veterans received. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS • S. 22 would be available to members of the military who have served on active duty since September 11, 2001, including activated reservists and National Guard. To be eligible, veterans must have served at least three to thirty-six months of qualified active duty, beginning on or after September 11, 2001. Educational benefits would be paid in amounts linked to the amount of active duty served in the military. THE NEED FOR S. 22 • S. 22 provides a GI Bill that reflects the rising costs of college education. The cost of college education has increased by 278 percent over the past 20 years, but the benefits provided under the current Montgomery GI Bill have not kept pace. S. 22 corrects this deficiency. ~~~~~ The bill may or may not withstand a Presidential Veto. If you want it stand a veto, you need to get on the phone or the internet and call on your Senators and Congrsssmen to support. Links can be found in my Sidebar: Senators, than click Senators, you will get their website. I am not having a lot of luck here so you can find the co-sponsors of Senator Webb's bill S.22, here Senatorial Roll Call Vote - this is the 100th Senate, 2nd Session, 2008, the link to one of the votes on May 22 is here. The point of my exercise is to give you quick access to the names of Senators and Congressmen who voted for S. 22, the GI Bill of 2007. And those of your Senators and Representatives who did not vote to support these measures. To me, if we can spend billions bringing democracy to Iraq, we can "invest" in our Veterans and provide them the best education they can earn on their own hard work with a little help from us. Same for House of Representives in my sidebar. The companion bill is H.R. 2700. There may be enough votes to override a Presidential Veto but take no chances. Contact your Representatives and Senators if you want access to this GI Bill. Your fathers and brothers earned it, I know you have. Ooh! Rah! Thank you...Now here would be some tax dollars WELL- spent in contrast to Al Gore's midnight basketball... Because we have an all volunteer military today, many young men and women you - by stepping up to the plate of manhood - would have met, you will not meet and let them learn how "all together" your service career has made you... Let's get that GI Bill, S. 22, under you belt...