As part of the War Funding Bill, President Bush, in an unassuming ceremony Monday, signed into law the New GI Bill.  The $162 billion war bill will continue to pay for the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, dramatically improves the education benefits for veterans, and extends unemployment benefits.

 

The New GI Bill, sponsored by Senator Jim Webb D-VA., after months of resistance particularly by President Bush and Presumptive Republican nominee John McCain, became a reality after concessions by both the Democratic and Republican parties.  The new bill will more than double the educational benefits for veterans and will cost an estimated $62.8 billion over the next decade.  This makes the benefits comparable to the World War II GI Bill benefits.  Veterans who have served at least three years since 9/11 will be eligible to receive up to four years of college at the most expensive in-state university, including $1,000 a year for books and supplies and a monthly living stipend.

 

Military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan will now be funded through mid 2009 and will not have set troop withdrawal timelines.  The troop withdrawal timelines had been a major sticking point with the Democrats, but their decision to drop this requirement paved the way for the approval of the New GI Bill.

 

In an email sent to and thanking supporters, Derek Blumke, President of the Student Veterans of America (SVA) stated that,

 

 

 

Senator Webb’s office estimates that up to 450,000 of the 1.6 million veterans who have served in Afghanistan and Iraq since September 11, 2001 will take advantage of the new GI Bill and the opportunity it provides to improve their lives.

 

For more information on the New GI Bill please go to the SVA Website or the VA’s GI Bill Webpage.