AirCongress The Online Voice Of Capitol Hill

As America prepares for another Veterans’ Day on Monday, President Bush today urged Congress to act on two bills aimed at meeting the needs of soldiers who have served the country in the past.

In his weekly radio address, Bush first called for action on a bill to implement the recommendations of a commission empaneled after problems at veterans’ hospitals surfaced this year.

He also scolded lawmakers for delays in sending him the annual bill to fund the Veterans Affairs Department. “The best way members of Congress can give thanks to our veterans is to send me a clean bill that I can sign into law,” Bush said, adding that lawmakers need to quickly confirm James Peake as the next head of the VA.

Rep. Joe Sestak of Pennsylvania, a former three-star admiral, delivered the Democratic address, touting the Democratic-led Congress’ record on veterans’ issues. He noted that the spending bill would boost the VA’s budget by $6.7 billion, including more money for mental health and post-traumatic stress disorder.

“Democrats have also expanded resources for traumatic brain injury and research and rehabilitation while extending from two to four years, following discharge from the military, the eligibility period to receive medical care by the Veterans Administration,” Sestak said. “And we added thousands of VA case workers to reduce unconscionable delays in getting veterans the care they need.”

Categories: Pennsylvania, Producer's Picks, Joe Sestak, Weekly Radio Address, Budget, Veterans Affairs

No Comments »

Federal policy is not a passion for many college students, but the House Education and Labor Committee hopes to make them passionate about at least one bill that President Bush signed into law Thursday.

The legislation would increase funding for Pell Grants to college by $11.4 billion over five years and boost the maximum award from $4,310 to $5,400 over that time period. Grants would be available year-round.

The interest rate on student loans also would be cut in half, saving an average of more than $4,000 per borrower. And people in the military or leaving it could defer loan payments under certain circumstances.

The benefits won’t do any good if students don’t know about them, though, and the committee has opted for a little online creativity in spreading the word. It has created a video with the feel of an online dating service.

“I’ll be honest: I’m into college students,” says a student holding a mock $4,400 check signed by “Congressional Democrats.” “I’m not looking for anything exclusive. I’d just like to get with as many students as I can.”

Here are Bush’s comments about the law at the White House bill-signing ceremony:

UPDATE, 9/30: The Education and Labor Committee also created videos with three panel Democrats — Joe Courtney of Connecticut, Mazie Hirono of Hawaii and Joe Sestak of Pennsylvania — to tout the new law.

Categories: Connecticut, Hawaii, Pennsylvania, White House, Democrats, Joe Courtney, Mazie Hirono, Joe Sestak, Education

No Comments »