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TELL YOUR SENATOR TO OPPOSE THE WEAK MCCAIN BILL ON VETERANS EDUCATION

It is crucial that your Senator know that you oppose Senators McCain, Graham, and Burr, in their attempts to undermine our veterans, by offering a watered-down substitute to the 21^st Century GI Bill, sponsored by Senators Webb and Hagel. Use the tool below to write to your Senators, to let them know that support of the McCain bill is unacceptable. If you are a veteran, please note that in your letter.

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November 20, 2009

Subject:

Dear Senator,

I am writing to demand that you not support the McCain-Graham-Burr substitute to S.22, the Webb-Hagel Post 9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act.

I view the McCain-Graham-Burr bill to be an affront to our veterans, and would consider you to be willing to undermine our nation’s veterans if you support it.

The Webb-Hagel bill now enjoys the support of nearly every veterans’ group, including VoteVets.org, and 57 Senators from both sides of the aisle.  That is with good reason – it is a common-sense, well-crafted piece of legislation that honors our veterans.

The McCain-Graham-Burr bill falls flat, and undermines America’s veterans as they reach for the American dream:

1) The McCain-Graham-Burr legislation creates a flat education benefit, not taking into account the cost of state colleges where veterans live. This would mean veterans in states where the cost of education is higher than the benefit would have go to into debt to get an education, or uproot themselves and their families to move to a place where the benefit would cover college. The Webb-Hagel Bill determines the education benefit based on the highest state college tuition in a veterans' home state, allowing veterans to come home and attend college, without upheaval in their lives.

2) The McCain-Graham-Burr legislation creates second-class veterans, by offering those who serve in the military for 12 years the chance to transfer their education benefits to their children. This says to a veteran who serves for two years and loses both of his legs in combat that his service isn't as valuable as someone who has served for longer.

3) The McCain-Graham-Burr legislation leaves the National Guard and Reserve out in the cold. In the current conflicts, the National Guard and Reserve have served faithfully alongside their active duty compatriots, and deserve equal benefits. Yet, the McCain bill does nothing to reward our Guard and Reservists for their cumulative service. Under the McCain bill, over 160,000 members of the Guard and Reserves who have done more than one tour in Iraq or Afghanistan would get no credit towards an education for their additional sacrifice.

A fair education benefit is a sacred promise made to America's military after World War II.  That promise has been allowed to become outdated and tarnished. Only the Webb-Hagel bill will restore its luster. And, for that reason, it is the only acceptable bill to America's veterans, and to me.

I urge you to oppose the McCain-Graham-Burr legislation, and support S. 22 – the Webb-Hagel Post 9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act.

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