Dems Push Major GI Bill Expansion

(WASHINGTON) — Congressional Democrats are pushing what could become the most dramatic expansion of college aid for military veterans since World War II, with a bill they hope will buoy them this election season and become an albatross for Republicans.

Pitched by the Democrats is a plan that would essentially guarantee a full-ride scholarship to any in-state public university, along with a monthly housing stipend, for individuals who serve the military for at least three years.

The proposal would give veterans 15 years to use the benefit, instead of the current 10-year limit, and would set up a new government program that matches financial aid by more expensive private institutions.

For a pricey public school — such as Miami University in Oxford, Ohio — that benefit might be worth as much as $31,000 per school year, compared to the $9,900 average benefit that veterans are given now. "Meeting the needs of our veterans is a cost of war," said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., who described the bill as a "thank you" to the troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

While Democratic leaders say they see a yes-vote on their proposal as a no-brainer for any lawmaker facing voters this fall, the new GI benefits plan has Republicans — and even some members of the more fiscally conservative Democratic rank-and-file — balking at the cost. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates that the proposal would cost $51.8 billion in the next 10 years.

Republican Sens. John McCain of Arizona, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Richard Burr of North Carolina have proposed an alternative that would boost the maximum monthly stipend for GIs from $1,100 a month to $1,500 a month.

President Bush is expected to veto the measure if it is sent to him with added domestic spending, including the GI bill. In a closed-door meeting last week, Bush urged a group of House Republicans to reject the bill and uphold any veto if the legislation doesn't adhere to his request. Bush has indicated he supports a modest expansion of GI benefits — particularly allowing service members to transfer unused benefits to family members — but wants to address it in legislation separate from war spending.

House Republicans acknowledge the upcoming vote will be a tough one. GOP members want to expand GI benefits, even if they think the Democratic proposal goes too far. And some Republicans whose home states have taken an economic hit also are likely to find it difficult to reject increased unemployment benefits.