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U.S.
Senator Member: Finance, Agriculture, Energy, Ethics and Aging Committees |
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For Immediate
Release Thursday, June 26, 2008 |
CONTACT:Stephanie Valencia – 202-228-3630 |
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| Sen. Salazar Lauds Passage of Emergency Supplemental Package, Includes Provisions to Honor Veterans and Ease Economic Pain Bill includes 21st Century GI Bill, extension of unemployment insurance, and Medicaid fix WASHINGTON, DC – Tonight, by a vote of 92 to 6, the United States Senate passed the emergency supplemental spending package, which includes an historic expansion of educational benefits for veterans, help for Americans who have been hurt in our ailing economy, protections of Medicaid as a health care safety net for the most vulnerable, and relief for communities affected by recent weather-related disasters. United States Senator Ken Salazar released the following statement regarding the bill’s passage. “The passage of today’s emergency supplemental will provide an historic and much-deserved expansion of educational benefits for service members who are giving so much in Iraq and Afghanistan on behalf of our country. The 21st Century G.I. Bill of Rights, which is included in the supplemental package, restores the principle behind the first G.I. Bill, under which the federal government covered the cost of tuition for veterans returning from World War II. This new G.I. Bill will cover up to the full cost of a four-year public education for the more than 1.6 million service members, including activated National Guard and reservists, that have bravely served since September 11. Just as we have a duty to provide our men and women in uniform the equipment they need to do their jobs, we also have the duty to provide them the educational benefits that will assist them in their transition back to civilian life. “The bill also includes provisions that are part of a second round of economic stimulus. These provisions will help ease the pain that many American families are feeling as a result of the current downturn. “Importantly, the bill extends unemployment insurance benefits by up to 13 weeks. In Colorado, we have seen an increase in unemployment of one to one and a half percent over the last year – the extension of these unemployment benefits will give those who have lost their jobs in this tough economy more time to get back on their feet. “In response to
rising health care costs, the measure we passed today delays the implementation
of Medicaid rules that, among other things, would slash almost $800
million in Medicaid funding for nearly 30 Colorado hospitals. These
rule changes have the potential to decimate Colorado’s health care safety
net and hamper our ability to serve vulnerable populations, such as
children in foster care and individuals with disabilities. They would
also have a devastating impact on the ability of Colorado hospitals
to serve patients in communities across the state.” ###
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