I think Webb, Campbell et al are slightly wrong on this issue. I'm an 1980's vet, and received benefits under the GI Bill at the time. I went to school almost immediately after getting out of active duty, and with the GI Bill, state and federal grants and loans, plus working, I made it through and got my degree on time. It's really not that difficult (after doing a combat tour, going to college and taking even a part time job to supplement your GI Bill payments, grants and loans, is a cakewalk).

As it appears, even the VA says the 100% pproposal is cumbersome and unrealistic...and this isn't 1944...

This story is either false or not complete. In TX, you give your GI bill to the state and 100% of your program is paid. If you come back with a compensatable injury or illness; again, 100% is covered by the VA. Everyone wants more, more and more. When is enough is enough. I used 15k of my GI bill and got the rest of my education 100% paid through the VA. I gave my life to my country and my country has been very fair, respectful and helpful in all my request for self improvement. Thanks everyone. Your tax dollars sometimes do go to worthy causes.

I think that it is a good idea. Our veterans deserve more, and if offering them more opportunities at education can help, then let’s do it.

To all those idiots out there who accuse those of us who are against the war in Iraq of not supporting our troops (which is a faccacy) How ya like the repubs now? Is this what you call support?

How about the fact that our brave reservists and National Guard troops who have served with distinction in Iraq and Afghanistan get absolutely nothing in the way of educational benefits once they are discharged from the service? Is their substantial sacrifice in life and limb worth less than the "full time" active duty types who may not serve any more time in the service but stand to enjoy full ride benefits under this law?

If our young men and women can go over to a foreign country and risk their lives, the least we can do is send them to school. Hell the Universitys ought to let them go for free. They will let atheletes attend for free but not the ones who risk their lives to protect their freedom. What is wrong with this picture.

Interesting -- I served over 21 years and retired honorably in 1999. I went back to school full time for three years and received my bachelors from UVA, knowing that VA would be there to help. Guess what? Because I had a two year break in service I receive $0 from the VA -- and neither of my Senators (Jim Webb is one of them) nor my Represetative have responded to my requests for assistance. And they really expect to help new vets?? ROFLMAO!!

This has to be the epitomy of hypocrisy, buy this administration. This is just a disgrace. Where are all of you Flag Waving, Support the Troops Bushies, now. Shame on all of you.

Doesn't our country owe our veterans the best that we can offer? Full educational benefits for our soldiers is the least that we can do to repay them for their sacrifices.

I don't see a problem with it. The serve us, this is the very least we can do for them.

This story can not be true. After all G.W. respects our valiant warriors and would not do any thing to help OOps hurt them.

Guess "supporting our troops" means more than just slapping a stupid magnetic ribbon on your SUV. The top level Republicans care about money and power. The lower level Republicans are just fools believing all the B.S. the higher level Republicans tell them. All of you flag waiving hicks need to pay attention to what your Republican leaders are doing, rather than what they are saying.

Where have all of the bushies gone? This is the kind of fodder that gets them into their drooling semi-coherent postings. What's that? Oh, maybe some of the dems, libs, neos,etc. were right after all? All you had to do was open your eyes and see it. Follow your party lines all you want, but don't follow blindly. You are allowed to disagree. You are free minded, aren't you.

to JAZZ-
you're right this isn't 1944 but this also isn't the 1980's. The article even mentioned in 1985 many collegiate funds were gone. But you may have been in after 1985 that's fine but also you must note times now are tougher. With a republican pres for the past 7 years the funds available (non GI) aren't as plentiful as they were in the 80's and 90's. I was a history major in college and the 1944 GI bill is what built the life style we are so accustomed to today. Yes it's not 1944 but the principle is still the same. Pay for their schooling and soldiers will sign up. Why would a person want to risk their lives and fight in something like IRAQ and AFghanistan if they have to come back and worry about coming up with 25% of the tuition and room/boarding costs. Yes it will be expensive but there's alot more crap we can cut out of our government spending to pay for it. if it increases the size of the middle class then the effect will trickle to the rest of society and we ALL Benefit.

Why isn't the main healdining story? Doesn't anyone care about how we treat the troops who fought for us? Typical Bush, wanting everyone to sacrifice for him with nothing in return. Disgraceful.

Same old us vs. them crap. If this had been a Republican idea, the Dems would oppose it... but, since a Democrat came up with the idea... all of us Republicans are finding some excuse to support Bush on the issue.

If the VA is saying this would be not be wise and that it would take money from other programs, what programs are we talking about. Do we take money from physical therapy, VA hospitals, mental health, disability payments? Maybe we should up grant money available to the troops as well as their GI bill money. There should be something reasonable that can be done without financially straining the country's purse strings more than it already is. First, think about what we cut.....medicare, social security, food stamps. It's a great idea to give them more in the way of educational benefits but Congress, both Republican and Democrat, are not very good at funding the laws they pass. Of course, we could always insist that they not get a pay raise for the next decade so they can help fund it.

JEddy - I don't believe your comments are true. I was a Natl. Guard member and did lose my benefits when I chose to get out - but I had not been deployed. My husband, also in the Guard, returned from Iraq in 05 and received a lot of information about his veterans education benefits that will be his regardless of whether he maintains active service in the Guard. His educational (and other benefits) are through the VA now, not through the Guard Bureau which mine would have been - so there is a difference once you've been deployed.

I agree, by the way, with Jazz and disabledvet that the benefits are very good and appreciated by (most I guess) veterans. My husband, when he chooses to, will be able to get a degree and from what we can tell it will be at no cost or very little due to a combination of state and VA benefits to veterans. This story seems to be painting the wrong picture. Of all of the things that my husband and his fellow veterans have talked and griped about, educational benefits never made the list.

Anyone ever think of where the extra 3.4 billion dollars will come from to cover this entitlement?? Yes, from the increase in your taxes. I also wonder how much special interest "pork" was tacked on to this bill before it faced opposition. There is always two sides of a story and unfortunately our wonderful liberal press only presents one.

Dems have always been better for the soldiers than the Repubicans. Dems are not so quick to send them out to be killed, and they want to make sure the soldiers are taken care of.