Bush is known for hanging onto his bad policies and decisions with a death grip. But in this unusual reversal of opinion, he withdrew his long-held objections to a new G.I. Bill that would adequately fund the cost of a public college education for today's veterans.
(SALEM, Ore.) - The Bush Administration has abandoned its determined efforts to block and veto the implementation of a new G.I. Bill that would aid Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. Bush was unflinching in his position earlier; saying the bill that would have allowed veterans to attend college was just too expensive. It was nearly perverse when considering the sacrifice these men have exhibited in the present conflicts overseas.
There are no references to the matter plainly visible on whitehouse.gov, where the President could tout his turnabout. Instead, story names like "Press Gaggle" and "In Focus: Freedom Agenda" and "Presidential Message, Juneteenth 2008" are visible. What the heck is Juneteenth anyway?
It all came down two days ago, on June 18th, when a critical agreement was reached between leadership in the House of Representatives and the White House on the fate of the war funding bill. Bush's threat to veto the bill to help veterans was ever present until this new development.
It isn't often that Bush flip flops. Instead he is known for hanging onto his bad policies and decisions with a death grip. But in this unusual reversal of opinion, Bush withdrew his long-held objections to a new G.I. Bill that would adequately fund the cost of a public college education for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.
Salem-News.com's Dr. Phil Leveque is a WWII veteran and a member of what is known as "The Greatest Generation"- a reputation that exists in part, because of the massive number of vets who received educations under the G.I. Bill then. (see: G.I. Bill 1944: The Best U.S. Investment Ever for The Greatest Generation)
The Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America have been holding their course in hopes of seeing the bill gain acceptance. Thursday was a major victory for this group.
"By an overwhelming margin of 416-12, the House of Representatives voted in favor of a domestic spending provision of the war supplemental funding bill which includes a World War II-style GI Bill for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. This version of the bill was agreed upon by the House leadership and the White House in a deal brokered last night. Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) applauds the extraordinary support that both Democrats and Republicans have shown for this critical legislation and the progress we've seen in the past 24 hours."
They say this Sunday marks 64 years since President Roosevelt signed the original GI Bill into law and made education affordable for eight million World War II veterans.
"Thanks to the accord reached between House leadership and the White House, there is now a real chance that we could see a new GI Bill signed within days of this anniversary," said Paul Rieckhoff, Executive Director of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.
"IAVA is grateful to Congress and the President for putting partisan differences aside for the sake of our troops. We are arriving at a truly historic moment and we call on Congress and the White House to continue moving the G.I. Bill forward. We are poised to make history once again and create the next ‘Greatest Generation.' IAVA would like to thank its tens of thousands of supporters nationwide for their tireless efforts in the fight for a new GI Bill."
The next and presumably last step in the fight for the G.I. Bill will be for the Senate to sign off on this version of the supplemental and move the legislation to the president's desk.
Bush Changes Position, G.I. Bill Now Moving Toward Full AcceptanceSalem-News.com