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News and Views |
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House
Approves Funding to Support Troops, Enhance GI Bill, Provide WASHINGTON
– The House voted overwhelmingly Thursday for a supplemental appropriations
bill to fund the troops fighting the war on terror in
“This emergency supplemental funding for our troops is the single most
important piece of legislation before Congress, and I am pleased that we are
going to get these funds to our men and women in uniform as quickly as
possible,” said Lewis, the senior Republican member of the House
Appropriations Committee. “The president requested these funds more than 14
months ago, and it has taken Congress far too long to meet our responsibilities
to those who are fighting the war on terror.”
Lewis said he was grateful that after nearly a year of partisan maneuvers, House
leaders agreed to negotiate with President Bush to produce legislation that can
receive bipartisan support and gain the president’s signature. In an effort to
move along the troop funding without expensive political add-ons, Lewis
introduced legislation last month to produce a “clean” supplemental bill
that eliminated strings and new taxes.
“I am thankful that House leaders finally understood that they cannot burden
Americans with higher taxes to pay for expensive programs, and they cannot
burden our military leaders with politically-motivated timetables that could
actually endanger our troops in
The bill provides $161 billion to ensure that troops in the
Funding will be provided to enhance the GI Bill education opportunities for
service members, ensuring that all who have fought the war on terror can attend
a four-year college. The legislation also allows service members to transfer
educational benefits to their spouses and children. Although the bill originally
would have established a new tax to pay for this funding, Lewis joined the White
House in strong opposition, and the tax has been eliminated in the final
version.
“There is no question that we must do everything in our power to repay our
brave men and women for their sacrifice, and ensure they can reach for their
highest potential,” Lewis said. He co-sponsored a separate bill that would
enhance the GI benefits without raising taxes to pay for the program.
The legislation approved by the House also includes: -
A 13-week extension of unemployment benefits for those
workers who have exhausted their current benefits. -
A $2.65 billion disaster relief fund for victims of -
Increased foreign food assistance of $1.85 billion, as well as
$500 million in refugee assistance. -
$465 million to help -
$4.6 billion for military construction, including $863 million for
military hospitals and $396 million for veterans hospitals. Also included is
$210 million for military base child-care centers. -
$5.8 billion to complete the strengthening of Click Here to Return to News & Views
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