MEASURE INCLUDES LANGUAGE FROM BILL ENHANCING GI BILL SUPPORTED BY STEARNS

Washington, Jun 19, 2008 - “It is essential that our troops in the field receive the supplies and equipment they need to defeat the forces of terror,” stated Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Ocala). In addition to funding ongoing military operation in Iraq an Afghanistan, this measure helps meet our obligations to veterans by enhancing and expanding the GI Bill.”

Joining the House, Stearns voted to approve H.R. 2642, the Iraq/Afghanistan Supplemental Appropriations Act. Explained Stearns, “While funding these military operations, it provides $2 billion to develop countermeasures to prevent attacks through Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and includes $1.4 billion for military health-care costs. In addition, it addresses shortfalls in the current GI Bill by substantially increasing the amount of basic education assistance for veterans from $800 to up to $1,450, the average cost of the tuition at a four-year public university; provides a monthly cost of living stipend; allows servicemembers to enroll anytime, even while on active duty; permits servicemembers to repay student loans; and extends the time limit for using the education benefits from 10 to 15 years.” Stearns is a cosponsor of the House version of the Webb Bill in the Senate modernizing the GI Bill.

The measure also extends unemployment benefits for workers who have exhausted their benefits by up to 13 weeks in every state. Furthermore, H.R. 2642 prevents Medicaid from implementing regulations that would reduce services to seniors, families, those with disabilities, and payments to safety net providers.