GIBILL2008.org brought to you by our Friends @ IAVA.ORG !!

Folks, Just got info from “IAVA.org” about a new site they created to help get information out about the new GI BILL.  Here is the email.  Go to this site.. it is a real “EYE OPENER”!!
I will have my tuition paid in full + 1000.00 in Books, PLUS $10,710.00 Living Expense Paid to me!!
Now hopefully they will get this thing to work prior to 2009.  Anyways, it is coming!!  Read Below!!

Dear Darrell, We fought for a new GI Bill, and because of you, we won. Now it’s time to take the next step. This morning, I had the honor of addressing the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) National Convention in Orlando, Florida. The VFW was one of our major allies in the fight for the new GI Bill, and we wouldn’t have succeeded without their support. As part of my remarks, I announced IAVA’s relaunch of www.GIBill2008.org. The website, which served as a critical hub of online activism during our fight for the new GI Bill, is now a resource center for members of the military to learn about their hard-earned education benefits. Starting this week, www.GIBill2008.org will provide America’s newest generation of veterans with the tools they need to access the new GI Bill. It includes an interactive benefits calculator based on your zip code, answers to Frequently Asked Questions, and the latest news and information about the new GI Bill as it goes into effect. IAVA is committed to helping eligible veterans access their new benefit, and we’ve begun community outreach with ads in newspapers across the country, urging veterans to visit www.GIBill2008.org. The original GI Bill made education affordable for millions of veterans during the 20th century. Thanks to your help in fighting for the new GI Bill, millions more will have the same opportunity in the 21st century. None of this would be possible without your continued support. Thank you. Sincerely, Paul Rieckhoff Iraq Veteran Executive Director Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America

Please visit both sites. We are a member of the IAVA here at Corpsman.com. We would not have the new GI bill if not for them.

Support those who support you.

Thanks!
Da-Chief

YES YES YES YES YES!!!!!

The AP has reported that Congress has passed the War Spending bill which includes the new GI BILL funding as well.  The Bill will also hwlp with funding the Folks who have been hit by the floods in the mid-west.
Read Below.

Bipartisan accord reached on war funding bill

WASHINGTON — President Bush would win $162 billion in long-overdue funding to carry out military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan into next year under a bipartisan agreement sealed on Capitol Hill on Wednesday.

The agreement reached between House Democrats and Republicans and the White House — if passed into law as expected — would finally put to rest Bush’s long-standing battles with congressional Democrats over war funding.

House passage of the bill, expected Thursday, would also pave the way for a quick infusion of emergency flood relief for the Midwest, a 13-week extension of unemployment payments for the longtime jobless and a big boost in GI Bill college for veterans.

The latest installment of war funding would bring to well over $600 billion the amount of money provided by Congress to conduct the unpopular war in Iraq. It would also give Bush’s successor several months to set Iraq policy after taking office in January — and spares lawmakers the need to cast another war-related vote closer to Election Day.

House Democratic and Republican leaders announced the agreement Wednesday afternoon. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., withheld an outright endorsement but through a spokesman praised several key elements of the deal.

“This is an agreement that has been worked out in a bipartisan way that I think is acceptable to both most Democrats and most Republicans,” said House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio.

White House Budget Director Jim Nussle signaled Bush would sign the measure.

“It meets the needs of the troops; it doesn’t tie the hands of commanders in the field,” Nussle said. He also said the spending levels in the bill stayed within Bush’s demands. The latter claim was a stretch since the measure will carry new GI Bill benefits, as well as additional unemployment payments that Bush had threatened to veto.

But the agreement drops restrictions on Bush’s ability to conduct the war and gives him almost all of the funding he sought well over a year ago for Iraq and Afghanistan.

The White House — and Capitol Hill Republicans — had signaled greater flexibility in recent weeks after Democrats orchestrated impressive votes to more than double GI Bill college benefits and give a 13-week extension of unemployment payments for people whose benefits have run out.

In late-stage talks, Democrats dropped a provision to pay for the GI college benefits by imposing a half-percentage point income tax surcharge on incomes exceeding $500,000 for singles and incomes over $1 million earned by married couples. They also dropped a plan to extend unemployment benefits for an additional 13 weeks in states with particularly high unemployment rates.

Democrats and governors across the country emerged the victors in a battle with the White House to block new Bush administration rules designed to cut spending on Medicaid health care for the poor and disabled.

The war funding bill had bedeviled Democratic leaders for months. Its passage has become more urgent with looming furloughs next month of civilian employees and contract workers.

Conservative “Blue Dog” Democrats are upset that the new GI Bill benefits, with costs tentatively estimated at $62 billion over the next decade, will be added to the deficit instead of being “paid for” as called for under House rules.

“We know the day of reckoning is coming,” said Rep. Dennis Cardoza, D-Calif., who called the measure “totally irresponsible.”

The new GI Bill essentially would guarantee a full scholarship at any in-state public university, along with a monthly housing stipend, for people who serve in the military for at least three years. It is aimed at replicating the benefits awarded veterans of World War II and more than doubles the value of the benefit — from $40,000 today to $90,000.

Full details of the nuts and bolts of the measure won’t be released until Thursday.

But Nussle said the measure would provide $2.6 billion in additional disaster aid to replenish accounts already being tapped to deal with the terrible flooding across the Midwest.

It also contains $5.8 billion sought by Bush for next year to build levees and other flood control projects around New Orleans.

The bill is slated to be considered under an unusual procedure in which funding for the war would be voted on separately from the GI Bill, unemployment insurance extension and other domestic measures, such as additional funding for the glitch-plagued 2010 census.

The procedural setup allows anti-war Democrats to avoid votes to fund the war while still ensuring the money advances to Bush on his terms. In a vote last month, House Democrats tried to force Bush to begin troops withdrawals within 30 days with a goal of full withdrawal of combat troops within 18 months. The Senate easily killed the idea.

New GI Bill update, Bill Clears the Senate, look who voted “NO”.

Folks get involved, Join the IAVA!!

D/C

Dear Corpsman.com , Today marked another historic vote on the GI Bill. After last week’s remarkable victory in the House of Representatives, today the bill passed the Senate by an overwhelming vote of 75-22. Click here to see who voted for it and who voted against it. To celebrate this accomplishment, can you take a minute and recruit 5 of your friends to join IAVA? After World War Two, America made sure our troops coming home had the chance to go to college. Today, with Memorial Day just around the corner, our lawmakers renewed that promise and honored those who bravely serve this country. The GI Bill now has one final hurdle to pass: the President’s signature. In this crucial stage, let’s make IAVA’s voice even stronger and make sure the President signs this bill into law. To celebrate the passing of the GI Bill in the Senate, can you take a minute to ask 5 of your friends to join IAVA? Click here to recruit 5 of your friends and let them know how important it is to become an IAVA supporter. As the GI Bill has made its way through the complex legislative process on Capitol Hill, you have continued to answer our calls for action. We would never have made it this far without your dedication, and I am truly grateful. Sign up 5 of your friends now and keep the pressure on Washington, DC to get the GI Bill passed this year. Thank you for your continued support. Sincerely, Paul Rieckhoff Iraq Veteran Executive Director Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America

YOU DID IT!!!!! The GI bill passes the House!

You did it. Just a few minutes ago, the House of Representatives passed the new GI Bill by a vote of 256-166, as an attachment to the emergency supplemental. Click here to view the full list of who voted for it and who voted against it.

Earlier this week, we told you that the new GI Bill was facing opposition from a small group of Representatives in the House, who were threatening the bill despite its deep bi-partisan support.

We asked for your help, and you stepped up to the plate. Thousands of you took action by calling your Representatives, signing the petition at www.GIBill2008.org, and spreading the word to your friends and neighbors. Today, your dedication paid off and together, we made history.

There’s no question that your efforts had an impact. Referring specifically to the group of Representatives that were standing in the way of the bill, known as the Blue Dogs, the Politico, a Washington-insider newspaper, said that “there had been erosion among Blue Dogs in the face of pressure from veterans groups.”¹ The leadership you demonstrated in fighting for this bill shows that IAVA is a force to be reckoned with.

The new GI Bill has widespread support among Democrats, Republicans, and all of the major veterans organizations. But the legislative process is a long one, and it’s your dedication that keeps it going during these crucial stages.

Next week, the Senate will have to vote on the bill as well. After that, it will go to the President’s desk for his signature.

We’ll keep you updated via email, but for the latest news, just visit www.GIBill2008.org.

Thank you again for standing with us. The support we’re getting in this fight has been truly inspiring.

Sincerely,

Patrick Campbell
Iraq Veteran
Legislative Director
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America

1. Politico: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0508/10331.html