One last kiss off from Larry Craig to America's Veterans
We'll, he does have a couple months left, so who knows what else he'll do.
Larry Craig Taps His Way Into Webb GI Bill Debate
Mostly avoiding the political spotlight since his brush up with both the law and the bathroom stall, Sen. Larry Craig quietly created presidential campaign ripples on Tuesday by interjecting himself into the debate over a popular veterans education measure.
The Idaho Republican, who was famously made a pariah in his own party after allegedly soliciting sex in the Minneapolis airport men's room, announced that he would offer an amendment to the forthcoming Iraq war supplemental that would strip the legislation of Sen. Jim Webb's GI Bill.
The move reflects a somewhat marked change for Craig, who has generally demurred from high-profile battles since his toe-tapping episode. Indeed, Webb's bill is, at this point in time, perhaps one of the most pitched legislative disagreements between the likely Democratic and Republican presidential candidates.
The bill is, for all intents and purposes, a non-controversial measure offering veterans who have served three years educational benefits equal to the highest tuition rates of in-state public universities. Updating an antiquated system that was implemented during World War II, Webb's legislation took more than a year to craft and currently has 57 co-sponsors.
There are, however, Republicans with objections.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, working with Sen. John McCain, recently introduced competing legislation that modestly increases the monthly education benefits for active-duty and reserve personnel, adds incentives to stay in the army, and allows officers to transfer education benefits to their children. But veterans under their measure would have to serve 12 years before garnering the maximum, $2,000 a month, benefit
It has never ceased to amaze me that Republicans will always clamor to say that they support the troops, but when it comes to actually doing so, they'll fight tooth and nail against it. So while Larry Craig has no problem giving Halliburton $45 dollars for a 12 pack of pop, he thinks that realistically funding the GI Bill is a bit too much to ask. I'll also note that the funding for the proposed changes to the GI Bill will come from a half percent raise in taxes to those who gross over one million dollars a year.
Being a veteran I thought that the GI Bill was a little outdated, so I was glad to hear that Sen. Webb is proposing some drastic and much needed changes. I've always thought that it'd be nice to be able to transfer some of my GI Bill benefits to whomever, children, nieces or nephews, I mean essentially, it is my money -- I did earn it. But according to Sen. McCain and his associates; I'd have to be a commissioned officer and spend 12 years in the service to be afforded that privilege -- even then it only allows the transfer to their children.
Of course, leave it to Republicans to do everything they can to derail positive change for the average working American.
Chris, I'm really glad you blogged this. (I'm waiting until a little later ...) And good on the HuffPo for showcasing it!
This is just the sort of story that seems to inexplicably go un- or underreported in the Idaho traditional media, helping explain why so many Idahoans still believe voting R = supporting the troops.
Posted by: Julie in Boise | 14 May 2008 at 02:26 PM