Democrats question why GOP in Congress won't support G.I. bill

"We're proud that Rep. Harry Mitchell is the primary sponsor of this bill, and he continues to show that supporting our troops involves more than bumper stickers and talk," said Emily Bittner, spokeswoman for the Arizona Democratic Party, of the Post-9/11 GI Bill, introduced yesterday by Rep. Harry Mitchell (D-5) and Reps. Bobby Scott (D-Va.), Ginny Brown-Waite (R-Fla.), and Peter King (R-N.Y.). 

The bill would give veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan up to 36 months of education benefits that could be used for housing, tuition, living stipend and books.

"Representative Mitchell is active in his support for our veterans and troops abroad, fighting for the benefits they have earned while defending our country," continued Bittner.

However, her praise turned to scorn when she pointed out that while 36 Republicans joined Mitchell in sponsorship of the legislation, none of the Arizona delegation did. Nor have Sens. John McCain or John Kyl.

"It's difficult to understand why Arizona Republicans wouldn't support this legislation," Bittner added. "It's the difference between saying you support our troops and actually doing something about it."

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None of the Republican legislators have indicated what their vote will be if and when the bill comes to the floor, but Bittner cited retired general Wesley Clark's L.A. Times op-ed piece to support the Democrats' case that Arizona's congressional Republicans should have a more active role in the legislation. Clark wrote:

"The Post-9/11 Veterans Act, which has an estimated cost between $2.5 billion and $4 billion, is common-sense legislation. With 53 cosponsors, including nine Republicans, the three other Vietnam War veterans in the Senate and former Secretary of the Navy John Warner, the bill simply updates what the late historian Stephen Ambrose called "the best piece of legislation ever passed by the U.S. Congress." Yet, faced with unprecedented filibusters, it needs 60 cosponsors. As de facto leader of the party, McCain could signal to other Republicans to sign on to the bill and assure passage.

"Instead, McCain has said he hasn't had time to read the bill and isn't sure if he could support it. It's hard to believe that neither he nor anyone on his staff has had time to read such an important bill, which has been around since before he started running for president. But, even if true, McCain must do the right thing now."