McConnell votes against Veterans. Again.

What was Mitch McConnell saying about "personal attacks" earlier? Because it seems like that man has some kind of vendetta against our troops. First, it was his two filibusters against the Webb amendment to restore proper troop rotations between tours for our soldiers. Now, he takes the extra step of voting against the expansion of the GI Bill to help our fighting men and women receive a college eduction. He was one of only 22 senators to vote against the popular bipartisan legislation, and the only Republican running for re-election this year to do so.

Here's the response of Americans United for Change:

“For all the lip service Senator McConnell pays back home to the sacrifices our troops are making overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan, he sure has a funny way of showing his support in Washington,” said Jeremy Funk, spokesman for Americans United for Change. “He stood with President Bush and tried to stand in the way of a 21st century G.I. Bill that reflects the needs of a struggling economy and skyrocketing tuition costs. That McConnell can vigorously support spending of $12 billion a month to continue this President’s failed Iraq war policies but not a fraction that amount on these brave soldiers’ education when they return home signals just how radically skewed his priorities really are. In fact, the first two years of the new GI bill would cost what we spend in two days in Iraq. Senator McConnell really ought to be embarrassed to face any Kentucky veteran today after voting like this. Despite all his empty rhetoric about supporting the troops, when faced with a simple choice of voting for ’em or against ’em – McConnell voted against ’em.”

“The original GI Bill launched millions of families on a course to achieving the American dream – and set the American economy on the right course after a draining war. It returned $7 to the economy for every $1 spent on it,” added Funk. “Current GI educational benefits pay only about 60 percent of a public college education and 30 percent of a private college education. That’s simply not enough, especially in an economy slipping further and further towards a full scale recession. Ensuring that these men and women returning from Iraq and Afghanistan don’t have to worry about how they’re going to afford a quality education is the very least we can do to truly show our appreciation and support. But, for whatever reason, Mitch McConnell just said ‘no.’ It’s a real question of priorities, and Mitch has his completely mixed up.”

Had enough?

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