Reply #79: I posted as well regarding these bills and ammendments. [View All]

[Clarkie1]

And they are not at all similar in their scope.

What Kerry helped get though is limited to increasing death benefits and housing allowances in the the event of death in the line of duty. I commend Kerry for taking a leadership role on these ammendments. They were important, and so inexpensive the Republicans could easily vote for them even though veterans are not high on the Republican agenda.

The Pelosi/Clark G.I. Bill of Rights focuses on all veterans, not only families of those killed in the line of duty.

Among many other benefits, the new GI Bill of Rights will:

Increase funding for VA health care, including an additional $3.2 billion over President Bush's budget for FY 2006 and an additional $10 billion over the next 10 years

Improve mental health services, including expanding post-traumatic stress disorder services to all VA medical facilities

Block increases in prescription drug co-payments and enrollment fees that would raise the health care costs for 2.2 million veterans

Fully repeal the Disabled Veterans Tax, which currently forces disabled military retirees to give up one dollar of their pension for every dollar of disability pay they receive

End the Military Families' Tax which penalizes survivors, including widows and children of those killed in combat

Ensure an adequate number of troops and make sure they have adequate equipment, so that our troops are well protected and not stretched too thin

Provide a $1,000 bonus to the nearly 1 million brave men and women who have served in imminent danger in Iraq and Afghanistan as a thanks for a job well done

Modernize and enhance the GI Bill and Job Training Programs

Assist homeless veterans with employment, and protect bonuses and special pay for those who are permanently and severely injured or wounded or killed in service

Protect the income of our National Guard and Reservists to help the more than 40 percent of those called up who have suffered a pay cut to serve our country

Expand military health care to provide full access to TRICARE -- the military health program -- to all members of the Guard and Reserve and their families

Urge your Members of Congress to support the new GI Bill of Rights for the 21st Century!

http://ga4.org/campaign/gi_tax