The Shad Plank: A Webb-McCain showdown?
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| Also listed in: The Jim Webb Newswire |
Looks like Virginia Sen. Jim Webb could now face a political showdown over his GI bill with a formidable adversary: Arizona Sen. John McCain.
McCain, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, introduced competing legislation Tuesday that appeared aimed at defeating Webb's measure.
McCain's bill offers only modest increases to education benefits allowed under current law. Webb's bill, which had been gaining bipartisan support for months, offers the promise of full college tuition for many veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan.
Defense Department officials have expressed concern about Webb's bill, which they say could entice troops to leave the military sooner than anticipated. Webb said there's no evidence his bill would harm military retention.
It's not clear whether either bill will advance to the Senate floor. But if either one does, the battle could be lively, pitting two distinguished, battle-hardened military men against each other.
Webb, a former Navy secretary, is a decorated Vietnam combat veteran. McCain, of course, is a former prisoner-of-war who spent years in a Vietnamese prison. While McCain is a seasoned Republican lawmaker, Webb is a freshman Democrat.
The battle lines have now been drawn.
Webb, however, has a powerful ally in Sen. John Warner, R-Va., who recently agreed to co-sponsor the GI bill. Warner was also an early backer of McCain's presidential campaign.
McCain's bill is co-sponsored by Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C
McCain, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, introduced competing legislation Tuesday that appeared aimed at defeating Webb's measure.
McCain's bill offers only modest increases to education benefits allowed under current law. Webb's bill, which had been gaining bipartisan support for months, offers the promise of full college tuition for many veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan.
Defense Department officials have expressed concern about Webb's bill, which they say could entice troops to leave the military sooner than anticipated. Webb said there's no evidence his bill would harm military retention.
It's not clear whether either bill will advance to the Senate floor. But if either one does, the battle could be lively, pitting two distinguished, battle-hardened military men against each other.
Webb, a former Navy secretary, is a decorated Vietnam combat veteran. McCain, of course, is a former prisoner-of-war who spent years in a Vietnamese prison. While McCain is a seasoned Republican lawmaker, Webb is a freshman Democrat.
The battle lines have now been drawn.
Webb, however, has a powerful ally in Sen. John Warner, R-Va., who recently agreed to co-sponsor the GI bill. Warner was also an early backer of McCain's presidential campaign.
McCain's bill is co-sponsored by Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C
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