Steve Sarvi for Congress (MN-02) Highlights John Kline’s Puzzling History on the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act

July 1, 2008

EAGAN, Minn. – In the wake of President Bush’s signing of a new GI Bill for the 21st century, Steve Sarvi, the Democratic candidate for Congress in Minnesota’s 2nd Congressional District, is questioning Rep. John Kline’s stance on support for today’s veterans.

Sarvi has made veterans’ affairs a focus of his campaign. Kline, Sarvi’s opponent, has a puzzling record on veterans’ issues given that he himself is a veteran. But it’s Kline’s position on the new GI Bill, formally called the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act, that is most puzzling.

According to his staff, Kline co-sponsored four versions of the GI Bill, including the version put forward by Virginia Democrat Sen. Jim Webb (Yelena Vaynberg letter, Red Wing Republican-Eagle, 6/11/08) – apparently signaling strong support for enhancing veterans’ educational benefits. However, on May 15, Kline voted against the Webb bill when it came before the House of Representatives. When it came up again, on June 19, he voted for it.

The Sarvi campaign is asking: Why the change(s) of heart?

Some potential reasons:

• The most recent bill was attached to Iraq War spending – $162 billion for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, to fund the war into next year. Kline has steadfastly supported funding requests for the Iraq War.
• Another vote against the GI Bill would be indefensible. Hundreds of thousands of soldiers will benefit from its passage and enhance our economy and global competitiveness in the process. According to a congressional study, the original GI Bill returned $7 to our economy for every $1 invested in it.
• Mr. Kline wasn't sure what the president wanted him to do. Kline has a 92 percent voting record in support of the Bush administration, but the president sent mixed signals about this bill – including promising to veto it because of costs but then wanting to boost costs higher by allowing beneficiaries to transfer education benefits to spouses or children. Said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, “It's like the Yogi Berra story: ‘I don't like that restaurant. Besides, the portions aren't large enough.’ They don't like it, but they want more."
  

“This bill was a great move in the right direction,” said Steve Sarvi. “I’m disappointed it doesn't provide for some of the other important things the original GI Bill did, such as low-interest small business loans that would boost our economy and provide great return on investment, but it’s my hope we can go further in the future.”

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