Michael McCaul Opposes New GI Bill's Education Benefits for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans

(Brenham, TX) – News of Republican Congressman Michael McCaul’s latest vote against returning veterans brought a swift rebuke from Larry Joe Doherty, Democratic nominee for the 10th Congressional District of Texas.

"Michael McCaul has voted against health care for veterans, against disability coverage for veterans, and now against education for veterans,” Doherty stated. “McCaul will vote any sum of money necessary to put them in harm's way, but he won't help them get ahead when they come home. They return wearing a badge of honor, but are denied the opportunity to get ahead. This is a disgrace."

On Thursday afternoon, after two weeks of delaying tactics from Congressional Republicans, McCaul voted against a plan to expand access to education for members of the Armed Forces. The legislation is supported by dozens of Republicans as well as the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), the Paralyzed Veterans of American (PVA), AMVETS, the Student Veterans of America (SVA), and the American Legion.

“McCaul mocks the memory of the Greatest Generation by selling short a new generation of veterans,” said Doherty. “McCaul is maintaining a consistent pattern of voting against funding for our veterans and their families.”

McCaul’s anti-vet record includes voting against a $6.6 billion increase in funding for veterans’ programs; voting to maintain the “Widow’s Tax” on surviving spouses; voting to cut funding for veterans by $36 billion; and voting to cut veterans’ health by $13.5 billion over five years. Additionally, McCaul has supported Bush administration policies to increase veteran health care fees by $2.3 billion through new enrollment fees and co-payment increases.

"McCaul votes to protect the wealthiest Americans at the expense of our veterans' health care and access to education," said Doherty. "Our troops shouldn't have to sacrifice for their country without their country sacrificing for them."