Oklahoma Veterans Slam Inhofe for Backing Watered-down Education Bill

By VoteVets.org  |  Press Release
PUBLISHED: May 02, 2008

OKLAHOMA VETERANS SLAM INHOFE FOR BACKING
WATERED-DOWN EDUCATION BILL
"Stop undermining America's heroes," say war veterans

Norman, Okla. – An Oklahoma veteran of the war in Iraq has slammed Senator James Inhofe for abandoning the bi-partisan Post 9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act (S.22), cosponsored by Senators Jim Webb and Chuck Hagel, and instead backing a watered-down measure sponsored by Republicans, led by Senator John McCain.  Senator Inhofe quietly removed his name from the Webb-Hagel bill this week.

"Senator Inhofe is undermining America's heroes, as they reach for the American dream," said Miranda Norman, a veteran of the war in Iraq, from Norman, Okla. and a state captain for VoteVets.org. "It’s insulting and a slap in the face.  Not only has Senator Inhofe turned his back on legislation backed by every veterans’ group, but he signed on to a sham bill, because he thinks veterans are fools who won’t be able to tell the difference."
The McCain-Graham-Burr bill falls flat in its key differences from the Webb-Hagel Bill, which has the support of 56 members of the Senate, from both sides of the aisle.

1) The McCain-Graham-Burr legislation creates a flat education benefit, not taking into account the cost of state colleges where veterans live. This would mean veterans in states where the cost of education is higher than the benefit would have go to into debt to get an education, or uproot themselves and their families to move to a place where the benefit would cover college. The Webb-Hagel Bill determines the education benefit based on the highest state college tuition in a veterans' home state, allowing veterans to come home and attend college, without upheaval in their lives.

2) The McCain-Graham-Burr legislation creates second-class veterans, by offering those who serve in the military for 12 years the chance to transfer their education benefits to their children. This says to a veteran who serves for two years and loses both of his legs in combat that his service isn't as valuable as someone who has served for longer.

3) The McCain-Graham-Burr legislation leaves the National Guard and Reserve out in the cold. In the current conflicts, the National Guard and Reserve have served faithfully alongside their active duty compatriots, and deserve equal benefits. Yet, the McCain bill does nothing to reward our Guard and Reservists for their cumulative service. Under the McCain bill, over 160,000 members of the Guard and Reserves who have done more than one tour in Iraq or Afghanistan would get no credit towards an education for their additional sacrifice.
"A fair education benefit is a sacred promise made to America's military after World War II," added Norman. "That promise has been allowed to become outdated and tarnished. Only the Webb-Hagel bill will restore its luster. And, for that reason, it is the only acceptable bill to America's veterans. By removing his name from that bill, Senator Inhofe has made it clear.  He does not support our veterans, and we will make sure all Oklahomans are well aware of that fact."

Miranda Norman joined the Oklahoma Army National Guard in September of 1999, her senior year of high school. She served in Iraq with her Guard unit, C Company, 120th Combat Heavy Engineers, at Camp Al Taqqadum, Iraq, serving as an Automated Logistics Specialist.

VoteVets.org is a pro-military organization committed to the destruction of terror networks around the world, with force when necessary. It represents the Voice of America's 21 Century Patriots - those who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan. It primarily focuses on nonpartisan education and advocacy on behalf of troops, veterans and their families.