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By ANNE FLAHERTY Associated Press May 13, 2008 Page 2 of 2 Democrats are unlikely to heed his suggestion because it would lessen their leverage substantially. Ultimately, Democratic lawmakers and their aides say they expect some version of the GI bill will pass eventually, even if they have to strip the domestic add-ons and find money elsewhere in the national budget to offset the costs. But before they pare down their proposal, they plan to put Republicans on the spot -- forcing them to either accept their domestic spending plan or go on record as opposing an effort widely endorsed by the nation's major veterans organizations. ''Visit Walter Reed,'' said Marty Conatser, head of the American Legion, in a recent statement urging Congress to pass the bill. ''War is expensive indeed and the bulk of that cost is paid for by the men and women who wear the uniform. Benefits are just a small, small cost of war.'' House Republicans acknowledge the upcoming vote will be a tough one. GOP members want to expand GI benefits, even if they think the Democratic proposal goes too far. And some Republicans whose home states have taken an economic hit also are likely to find it difficult to reject increased unemployment benefits. Adding weight to the GI proposal are the military records of the bill's three leading co-sponsors in the Senate: Webb, a Vietnam war veteran and former Navy secretary; Republican Sen. John Warner of Virginia, former chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee and a Navy enlistee during World War II; and Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska, a Vietnam veteran. A companion bill in the House, introduced by Rep. Harry Mitchell, D-Ariz., has attracted more than 290 co-sponsors, or about two-thirds of that chamber. >> Back -- Page 1 2 Copyright 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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