GI Bill Senate vote is tomorrow...Tell Senator Murkowski "thank you" for her strong pro-Veteran stance and ask Senator Stevens what his problem is!

I've been reporting on the 21st Century GI Bill for quite a while now...even before Sen. Murkowski signed on.

I actually discussed it with Senator Murkowski face-to-face at The Gathering for Veterans. At the same time, I discussed with her my anger at Sen. Stevens for his refusal to participate and I've been equally stern with him in the blog on his lack of support for Veterans or at best, minimal support while his Progressive rival, Mark Begich, has demonstrated a dedication to Veterans and the betterment of military families.

The GI Bill made it successfully through the House, in spite of the attempts by the "Blue Dogs" to hold it hostage. The threat we have in the Senate is that John McCain and his crappy alternative Bill could pressure another Senator into jumping ship like he did with Senator Inhofe. Multiple Veterans organizations have been pulling out all the stops, including Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans America (IAVA) and VoteVets.org, which is running an ad trying to convince Senator McCain to get behind the right Bill:



It ends with the powerful line, "Senator McCain, we respect your service. Please respect ours."

Once again, John McCain is in lockstep with Bush as George W. says he will actually veto the GI Bill if it passes the Senate. As the Bill's sponsor, Senator Jim Webb stated Sunday on "Meet the Press," "No president in history has vetoed a benefits bill for those who served." Just another chapter in the President's legacy of shame.

Here are the D.C. phone numbers for Sen. Stevens and Sen. Murkowski, as well as the one for Sen. McCain. Please make sure to thank Sen. Murkowski for her support. I think that's just as important as ripping Sen. Stevens and Sen. McCain a new one for their lack of it.


Senator Ted Stevens
Phone:(202) 224-3004
Fax:(202) 224-2354

Senator Lisa Murkowski
Phone:(202) 224-6665
Fax:(202) 224-5301

Senator John McCain
Phone:(202) 224-2235
Fax:(202) 228-2862