Putnam introduces companion to GI bill

Several GOP members on Monday introduced a companion bill to legislation from presidential contender Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) to improve educational benefits for veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

With McCain’s bill creating uproar among the Democratic leadership in the Senate, Rep. Adam Putnam (Fla.), chairman of the Republican Conference, introduced a companion bill in the House.

{mosads}Senate leaders and dozens of lawmakers from both parties support a bill introduced by Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.) that seeks to overhaul the GI bill. Webb had sought McCain’s support, but the presidential contender introduced his own legislation instead, which won backing from Secretary of Defense Robert Gates.

Webb’s bill also has companion legislation in the House and has the support of Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) who said she would like to see funding for a GI bill overhaul in the Iraq supplemental bill.

Putnam’s legislation is a stand-alone bill and has been referred to the House Armed Services and Veterans’ Affairs committees. Reps. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.), John Kline (R-Minn.), Thelma Drake (R-Va.) and Phil English (R-Pa.) are co-sponsors.