Press Release from Americans United

www.americansunitedforchange.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Jeremy Funk, 202.470.5878

DATE: May 22, 2008

Americans United for Change Slams Obstructionist-in-Chief Mitch McConnell for Voting Against 21^st Century G.I. Bill for Troops Returning Home from Iraq and Afghanistan

Washington D.C. – Americans United for Change, a leading coalition partner in the Iraq Campaign 2008 seeking a responsible end to the war, blasted Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell for voting against meaningful legislation to establish and fund a 21st century G.I. Bill that ensures our fighting men and women returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan do not have to worry about paying for a quality, college education. With no help from the Senate’s Obstructionist-in-Chief, the U.S. Senate today overwhelming passed by a 75-22 margin an amendment to an Iraq/Afghanistan/Domestic priories supplemental appropriations bill that restores full, four-year college scholarships and makes the veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan part of an American economic recovery, just like the veterans of World War II were. The U.S. House passed a similar amendment last week, despite President Bush’s veto threats.

“For all the lip service Senator McConnell pays back home to the sacrifices our troops are making overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan, he sure has a funny way of showing his support in Washington,” said Jeremy Funk, spokesman for Americans United for Change. “He stood with President Bush and tried to stand in the way of a 21st century G.I. Bill that reflects the needs of a struggling economy and skyrocketing tuition costs. That McConnell can vigorously support spending of $12 billion a month to continue this President’s failed Iraq war policies but not a fraction that amount on these brave soldiers’ education when they return home signals just how radically skewed his priorities really are. In fact, the first two years of the new GI bill would cost what we spend in two days in Iraq . Senator McConnell really ought to be embarrassed to face any Kentucky veteran today after voting like this. Despite all his empty rhetoric about supporting the troops, when faced with a simple choice of voting for ’em or against ’em – McConnell voted against ’em.”

“The original GI Bill launched millions of families on a course to achieving the American dream – and set the American economy on the right course after a draining war. It returned $7 to the economy for every $1 spent on it,” added Funk. “Current GI educational benefits pay only about 60 percent of a public college education and 30 percent of a private college education. That’s simply not enough, especially in an economy slipping further and further towards a full scale recession. Ensuring that these men and women returning from Iraq and Afghanistan don’t have to worry about how they’re going to afford a quality education is the very least we can do to truly show our appreciation and support. But, for whatever reason, Mitch McConnell just said ‘no.’ It’s a real question of priorities, and Mitch has his completely mixed up.”

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The new GI Bill fully restores GI education benefits for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans to the level available after World War II.

• The new GI bill restores full, four-year college scholarships to veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars to help make them part of an economic recovery like the veterans of World War II.
• It will give our returning troops the tools to succeed after military service and make military service more attractive as we work to rebuild our military, and strengthen our sagging economy.
• Under the new GI bill, service members returning from Iraq or Afghanistan, who have served 3 years on active duty, would receive benefits to cover the costs of a four-year education up to the level of the most expensive in-state public school.
• Education benefits would be available to troops who have served at least 3 months of active duty since September 11, 2001, including members of the National Guard and Reserve.
• The new GI bill is broadly supported by all major veterans’ organizations, including the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.
• The first two years of the new GI bill would cost what we spend in two days in Iraq .
• The new GI bill is paid for by imposing an income tax surcharge of one-half of one percent on individuals with incomes over $500,000 and couples with incomes over $1 million.