For Immediate Release
May 20, 2008

Supports partisan Republican bill backed by John McCain instead of standing with veterans groups in support of bipartisan Webb G.I. Bill

(Manchester, NH) - Last week, John E. Sununu made it clear that he would rather stand with the Republican Party than stand up for New Hampshire veterans.

For weeks, New Hampshire veterans have been urging Sununu to support Senator Jim Webb's proposal for an expanded G.I. Bill to offer enhanced education benefits for vets. Instead, Sununu last week voted in favor of a watered-down, Republican version of the proposal backed by John McCain. [Senate Vote #127, 5/14/08]

New Hampshire vets and citizens urge Sununu to support for Webb G.I. Bill
In editorials:
The Portsmouth Herald wrote that John Sununu should support the Webb G.I. Bill and not "play politics without a purpose." Click here to read.

In op-eds:
Three New Hampshire vets wrote an op-ed on May 11 calling for Sununu's support. Click here to read.

In letters to the editor:
New Hampshire veterans have written their local newspaper editors calling on Sununu to support Webb's proposal. Click here to read.

Sununu stood with his party instead of standing with veterans
On May 14, Sununu instead voted for the McCain proposal, a watered-down, partisan version of the bill designed to spare McCain the embarrassment of not supporting veterans in an election year. The bill gained support from Republicans only. [Senate Vote #127, 5/14/08]

Veterans support the Webb Bill
In contrast to the partisan bill that Sununu supported, numerous veterans groups support the stronger Webb proposal. The proposal is also supported by a broad bipartisan coalition of 57 Senators and 290 House Members.

Supporters of the Webb proposal include:
*Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
*Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA)
*The American Legion
*Military Officers' Assoc. of America (MOAA)
*Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA)
*AMVETS
*Air Force Sergeants Association (AFSA)
*Enlisted Assoc. of the National Guard of the United States (EANGUS)
*Student Veterans of America (SVA)
*American Assoc. of Community Colleges (AACC)
*National Assoc. of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges (NASULGC)
*Partnership for Veterans' Education
*57 Senators, including 11 Republicans
*Every New England Senator except Sununu and Gregg
*290 Members of the House of Representatives