Despite being overshadowed by the political Scheißestorm going on with our neighbors to the northeast, a significant piece of legislation was enacted today. America 6, or President Obama as he is sometimes known, signed a supplemental war-spending bill that will send an extra $106 billion to war efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan. The bill was heavily debated in both houses of Congress, not because of the spending measure in its own right, but because of some of the amendments added to the legislation.
While some are decrying the cash-for-clunkers green amendment added to the bill as government waste, some of the amendments have been cause for celebration. For instance, one amendment, proposed by Congressman Chet Edwards, gives the children of fallen warriors complete access to Post-9/11 G.I. Bill benefits, something that normally would require 10+ years of service.
Though the biggest victory for veterans groups came in the form of an amendment that retroactively compensates personnel who fell under the DoD’s stop-loss policy. The bill ultimately sets aside $534 million, paying $500 for every month that a service member served beyond his or her obligation. Although all of the branches of service use the policy, the Army, burdened by 15-month deployments and waning recruitment and reenlistment rates, found itself to be the biggest offender. The stop-loss amendment had been heavily debated last year, with some senators arguing that the $500 a month payout was not enough and countered with a $1500 a month proposal.
Either way, veterans groups are happy.
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