New GI Bill a Major Coup for Virginia Senator

The News & Advance
Published: May 29, 2008

With the Senate’s approval of an updated GI Bill, Virginia Sen. Jim Webb sealed his effectiveness as a freshman member of that legislative body. He made improving benefits for America’s military forces a campaign issue in 2006 and just 16 months later, he has produced results. That is, unless President Bush vetoes a similar measure in the House.

Webb, a Democrat, introduced the bill, which would increase educational benefits for veterans of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, on his first day in office. According to colleagues, he worked tirelessly for it ever since.

“This is his legacy already,” said Rep. Jim Moran, D-Va. “He is going to become a national figure for service members and military families.”

Some in Washington, including Moran, believe that Webb, a decorated Vietnam War veteran and former secretary of the Navy, would be a good choice as Sen. Barack Obama’s running mate in the fall presidential campaign. But Webb has swept that talk aside. “I came up here to get things done that I can get done,” he said last week. “And I feel pretty confident we’re going to get this one done.”

Virginia’s junior senator had bipartisan support from the state’s senior senator, John Warner, a Republican, who is retiring this year. That helped Webb win a veto-proof majority, 75-22, for his bill. The benefits are attached to a $165 billion emergency war-funding package, which must be reconciled with a House-passed bill.

Referring to his bill, Webb said, “This is taking care of the people who have taken care of us.” He added that the “world changed after 9/11 and when the operational tempo of our military changed, I kept sitting on the sidelines wondering when the GI Bill educational benefits would change.”

Standing next to Webb after last week’s vote, Warner credited the original World War II-era GI Bill with allowing him to become a senator, as it paid for him to attend the University of Virginia Law School. “I don’t know of any day I’ll cherish more,” Warner said, celebrating the Senate passage of the updated bill.

The bill would cover tuition at any university up to the cost of a public school’s in-state tuition in that state. Veterans who serve three years would be eligible for the maximum benefit. The bill would provide monthly stipends for housing expenses.

Bush has threatened to veto the war supplemental spending bill if it includes domestic spending. The administration supports a different piece of legislation that targets retention of service members by giving veterans a $2,000 per month educational benefit after 12 years in the service.

That’s a long time to serve to become qualified for GI Bill benefits.

Webb has distinguished himself in a short period of time by literally sticking to his guns for improved benefits for America’s military forces. Updating the GI Bill is long overdue for those men and women, many of whom have postponed their college educations to serve the nation. They deserve the improved benefits.

Congress should override any presidential veto of Webb’s bill — if that comes to pass.