The GOP loves to use the rhetoric that they support the troops. But when it comes down to a vote on historic legistlation to support our veterans – the new GI Bill – Ohio Republicans showed their true colors and voted AGAINST supporting our troops.  

"Veterans and military families will be a crucial swing vote in this election because the Republican rhetoric about 'supporting the troops' has not been supported by the actions of this president or his political party," said Redfern.  "The historic, bipartisan GI Bill that recently passed both houses of Congress had the support of every single Ohio Democrat, but only one Ohio Republican.  That is truly shameful."

Here is some background on the new GI Bill:

U.S. House Passed GI Provision To Cover Higher Education Costs.  On May 15, the U.S. House of Representatives passed an amendment to HR 2642 that would establish a new GI Bill.  The amendment would cover tuition costs, including a monthly housing stipend, at public universities for post-9/11 military veterans with three years of active-duty service.  The GI benefit, estimated to cost $52 billion over the next ten years, would be offset by tax increases on individual incomes over $500,000 and joint incomes over $1 million.  Thirty-two Republicans joined Democrats and passed the amendment by a 256-166 vote.[HR 2642, Vote #330, 5/15/08; The Swamp, 5/17/08]

How the Ohio congressional delegation voted: 

• Voted yes: Tubbs Jones; Kaptur; Kucinich;LaTourette; Ryan; Space; Sutton; Wilson

• Voted no:Chabot; Hobson; Jordan; Latta; Pryce; Regula; Schmidt; Tiberi; Turner; Boehner

U.S. Senate Approved GI Bill To Increase College Aid For Veterans.  On May 22, the U.S. Senate passed the bipartisan GI bill championed by Senator Jim Webb that would increase college aid to post-September 11 veterans.  Webb's plan would cover the full cost of tuition and expenses at public colleges and universities for veterans who served in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.  A majority of Republicans broke ranks with President Bush on a veto-proof 75-22 vote, except for Ohio Senator George Voinovich, who voted against the provision, and Senator John McCain, who did not vote. [HR 2642, Vote #137, 5/22/08;AP, 5/23/08;Politico,http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0508/10561.html, 5/23/08]

• Voted yes: Sherrod Brown
• Voted no: George Voinovich
• Not Voting: John McCain

This new web video ad fromAmericans United for Change takes Ohio Republican Congressman Steve Chabot to task for his vote AGAINST supporting the troops.