Jay Rockefeller: “I must say that I am mystified as to why there would be an objection to proceeding to consideration of this bill. I…”

“I must say that I am mystified as to why there would be an objection to proceeding to consideration of this bill. I realize that the objecting Senator is not the one holding up passage of this important piece of veterans legislation. But as the hold is anonymous, I would ask whichever one of the Senators across the aisle is holding the bill to please come and speak to me to let me know the nature of the objection. As far as I know, the Committee's Ranking Member also has no idea who has objected to the bill. This bill was voted unanimously out of Committee and is completely lacking in controversy. More specifically this bill makes significant enhancements to educational benefits for veterans and their families. The original GI Bill allowed a generation of soldiers returning from World War II to create the booming post-war economy, and, in fact, the prosperity that we enjoy today. Today's Montgomery GI Bill, MGIB, modeled after the original GI Bill, provides a valuable recruitment and retention tool for the Armed Services and begins to repay veterans for the service they have given to our Nation. As a transition benefit, it allows veterans to gain the skills they need to adjust productively to civilian life. I am very pleased that the legislation would increase the MGIB basic monthly benefit by $50 per month this year, $100 in 2002, and $150 in 2003.”