With a personal history like his, I am shocked by Sen. John McCain’s continued neglect of our returning veterans. While campaigning, he avoided voting on the vital G.I. Bill, which was part of the Senate’s supplemental spending bill. This bipartisan legislation provides educational benefits for veterans to meet the growing costs of higher education, and, of particular importance in Iowa, includes activated National Guard and reservists. Like President Bush, McCain has criticized the bill.

In this time of economic crisis, veterans need this 21st Century G.I. Bill to modernize outdated benefits. It is a cost of war that has proven high returns; for every dollar invested on the original G.I. Bill, higher educated and more productive veterans pumped $7 back into the economy. While McCain cites fiscal concerns, he repeatedly authorizes funding for the Iraq war. One week of war funding would pay for a whole year of this program. Iowa voters expected leadership from Senator McCain on this issue. Thankfully, other senators found time in their schedule to support veterans.

James Mowrer, Iraq War Veteran

Iowa Director and Senior

Advisor, VoteVets.Org

4500 Carpenter Ave

Des Moines, Iowa 50311

JamesMowrer@IowaVets.Org