NEW HAMPSHIRE VETS URGE MORE SUPPORT FOR EDUCATION, SUNUNU DODGES THE ISSUE

For Immediate Release
May 5, 2008

NEW HAMPSHIRE VETS URGE MORE SUPPORT FOR EDUCATION, SUNUNU DODGES THE ISSUE

Sununu ignores his own constituents, refuses to support expanded education benefits for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans

(Manchester, NH) - Last Wednesday, a group of New Hampshire veterans gathered to urge John E. Sununu to support the "21st Century G.I. Bill," a proposal by Senator Jim Webb to expand education benefits for veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan and other active duty military members. When asked for a response, Sununu dodged the issue, saying he would "look carefully at each of the bills introduced to strengthen these benefits," even though the Webb proposal was introduced more than a year ago. [Portsmouth Herald, 5/1/08]

"Sununu has no problem sending brave New Hampshire soldiers to war, but he has failed to support them when they come home," said Alex Reese, press secretary for the NHDP's Coordinated Campaign. "It's a core American and New Hampshire value to honor our soldiers and their service. They deserve our full support in re-starting their lives at home, but Sununu just doesn't get it." 

The Webb proposal would update the existing G.I. Bill to make the educational benefits comparable to those offered under other war-time G.I. bills. The proposal is especially important for New Hampshire veterans because it would offer the same benefits to active duty National Guardsmen and Reservists as regular military members. [S.22 Fact Sheet] New Hampshire's Guardsmen and Reservists serving bravely in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars will be given far less educational assistance than their peers if the Webb bill does not pass. 

Sununu may be dodging the Webb bill in order to join a partisan proposal by Republican Senator John McCain, who has put forward a much more limited bill that would not end the disparity between active Guardsmen and Reservists and regular military members. [McCain Press Release, 4/29/08] McCain's measure is supported almost exclusively by Republicans and has only fifteen co-sponsors in comparison to fifty-six co-sponsors for the Webb proposal. 

Despite the fact that Webb's proposal would end the disparity and honor New Hampshire's Guardsmen and Reservists equally, Sununu has refused to support the measure. The measure has gained fifty-six co-sponsors and broad bipartisan support, including the support of neighboring Republican Senators Collins and Snowe from Maine. In fact, Sununu and Judd Gregg are the only two senators from New England who do not support the measure. [S.22 Co-Sponsors, 5/5/08] Time is running out for Sununu to support the proposal: a vote on the bill is scheduled before the end of May. 

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