Revised GI bill passes U.S. Senate

The GI Bill may receive a facelift after the U.S. Senate approved a new bill May 22 that aims to expand education benefits for veterans.

The measure passed 75-22 with many Republicans voting in favor of the bill, despite President Bush's threat to veto it.

President Bush threatened to veto the bill if it included domestic programs; the bill approved by Senate would also fund domestic measures, including lengthening unemployment benefits and heat subsidies.

Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown voted in favor of the bill, but Ohio Sen. George Voinovich voted against it.

Illinois Sen. Barrack Obama voted for the bill and said it would bring the GI Bill into the 21st century.

"Although George Bush has threatened to veto [the bill], our intention is to override that veto," Obama said.

Arizona Sen. John McCain did not vote on the bill because he was campaigning, but said he does not support it. He supports a similar bill that would base benefits for veterans on how long they served.

McCain said the bill approved by the Senate would hurt retention because benefits are the same for all veterans and there would be no incentive for re-enlistment.

"I also believe we should provide veterans with a substantial increase in educational benefits," McCain said. "I have joined with colleagues to offer legislation that will do just that."

McCain said the bill he supports would eliminate the $1,200 enrollment fee, provide $1,500 per month and give $1,000 annually for books and supplies to veterans. He also said that the benefit would be transferable to spouses or dependent children.

Under the current GI Bill, benefits max out at $39,600 for four years of college. Also, the benefits expire after 10 years if they are not used, but the bill passed by Senate would extend that deadline to 15 years.

Supporters of the bill hope to bring the current GI Bill up to the levels they were after WWII. The Service Readjustment Act of 1944 - known today as the GI Bill of Rights - paid tuition in full for service men and women coming home.

The current GI Bill only pays for approximately 70 percent of tuition at public universities.

It is possible to have tuition paid in full, but a soldier returning home would need more than just the GI Bill. If a soldier becomes a Cadet with ROTC and joins the Ohio Army National Guard as a Simultaneous Membership Program Cadet, then their tuition is paid in full, according to the University of Cincinnati's ROTC Web site.

The bill is still before the U.S. House of Representatives and portions were rejected. The House endorsed the increase in benefits for veterans, but rejected funding for most of the domestic programs.

"Putting a college degree within reach for our veterans isn't being too generous; it's the least we can do for our heroes," Obama said.