Nov. 10, 2006
 
Rahall Renews Call for Passage of GI Bill of Rights in New Congress
 
By HNN Staff
 
Washington, DC (HNN) - On the eve of Veterans Day and just days following an election battle cry for better representation, Rep. Nick Rahall, D-WV, called for the new Congressional Leadership to act quickly on the New GI Bill of Rights for the 21st Century, which Democrats have introduced in Congress.
 
"The American people have sent a strong signal to our government that they want, and our servicemen and women deserve, a clearer vision for our future abroad and at home," Rahall said on Thursday, Nov. 9. "Democrats stand ready to move forward with Republicans on providing all the support our veterans and military retirees have earned."
 
In 1944, Congress enacted the original GI Bill of Rights, to honor the Greatest Generation-providing returning troops with educational benefits, loans to buy a home, and medical assistance. And in each major military conflict since, the sacrifices of service members and veterans have been recognized through an improved GI bill.
 
"With our veteran population growing every day, it is important that we have a new GI bill that meets the needs of our new veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, while continuing to honor the heroes that came before them," Rahall said.
 
The New GI Bill is a comprehensive package of benefits that would be provided to troops, veterans and their families. It would provide veterans with the benefits they deserve like affordable health care, education and job training, strengthen our support for our men and women in uniform and improve benefits for our National Guard/Reservists.
 
It will also repeal unfair tax burdens like the Military Families Tax and the Disabled Veterans' Tax, which forces veterans to pay $1 from their pension for every $1 of disability pay they receive.
 
"Our veterans, as our soldiers today, remain foremost in the thoughts and minds of West Virginians, and remain a top priority of the new Congressional majority," Rahall said. "The soldier pledges to leave no man behind, and we will leave no veteran behind."