OH-18: Space Outraged Over GI Bill Veto Threat

The other day I talked Rep. Mike Turner's refusal to support our troops and vote for the "Post 9/11 G.I. Bill", but it seems he isn't the only Republican that's letting their real feelings show over this issue. President Bush is promising a veto.

Now I'm sure I could respond to this, but it would probably be for the best if I let Rep. Zack Space handle it while I slowly count backwards from 100. Here's what he had to say about it in a press release a couple days ago.

“It is not enough to arm our young men and women for the battlefield – we must arm them for life after they return home. The President’s threatened veto is a shortsighted move that places politics above the needs of our veterans.

“So many of America’s heroes went to college through this vital program – including my father.  If we allow this promise we make to our brave men and women to depreciate, we will be turning our back on those who protect our freedoms every day.  That is unconscionable."

-- Rep. Zack Space

Space's release also laid out the case for the expansion of the GI Bill:

• 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.

We all know that President Bush is big on "staying the course", but do you think he's got the guts to do it this time?

I also want to point out that Space will be holding his final Renew Ohio summit this Friday in Zanesville.