A GI Bill for the 21st Century

In May we observe Memorial Day and honor those who have sacrificed in defense of this great nation.

I believe we do this best when we strive to build an America worthy of their sacrifice. An America we can still be proud to represent.

As a former Marine and Coast Guard officer, I have tried to do just that by building a company that provides good paying jobs and careers for Western New Yorkers. But there is still more to do.

*****

In 1944, FDR signed the G.I. Bill into law, providing opportunity to eight million returning veterans through college tuition, low-cost mortgages, and better VA hospitals.

Today, with college tuition and fees rising across the country, current benefits fall short of actual costs.

Worse, there are also considerable delays in receiving benefits; more than 118,000 education claims are waiting to be processed by the Veteran’s Administration. This is wrong.

Our vets deserve better, and I am going to do something about it.

Today, I endorse the new GI Bill making its way through Congress. This long overdue reform will extend benefits to all members of the military who have served on active duty since September 11, 2001.

The new GI Bill will also extend coverage to Reservists and National Guard members, many of whom have served as much, if not more than our regular military.

And under the new bill, veterans will have 15 years to use their educational assistance, compared to 10 years under the current law.

It will cost an estimated 2.5 billion dollars a year to fund these programs. How will we cover it? We pay 2.5 billion dollars each week for operations in Iraq. That’s 2.5 billion more reasons to end our occupation in Iraq and to bring our troops home now.

Now, I am sure my Republican opponent will join me in supporting our veterans, but can he pay for it? I want to fund the new GI Bill by bringing the troops home and stop spending our tax money on a brutal civil war. How will he pay for it?

*****

Finally, we all know that spending in Washington is out of control, but this new GI Bill is not a government handout; it’s an investment in America.

A 1988 Congressional study found that every dollar invested in educational benefits under the original GI Bill added seven dollars to the national economy in terms of increased productivity, consumer spending, and tax revenue.

That’s the kind of smart policy that we need in government again, and it’s the kind of common sense I am fighting to bring back to Washington.

It’s not just good policy; it’s the right thing to do.

*****

I'm an optimist, but I know I cannot win this fight alone. I won't ask you for your money, but I am asking for your vote and your ideas. Let’s fight for a government that honors and cares for its vets and their families.

Let’s fight to build an economy where our vets can find good jobs at a fair wage.

And let’s fight to bring moral integrity, honesty, and ethics to Washington.

Let’s do it right, and let’s do it right now.