Oregon Public Broadcasting

A roomful of military men and women met Tuesday to talk about the promise and problems of the GI Bill.  As April Baer reports,  Congress will be updating it soon, but not soon enough for some veterans.

This forum at Portland State University was packed with men and women -- most of them young; all had signed on to serve their country.

William Gamz is enrolled at Oregon State University right now. He's squeezing in his education in between his last Army deployment to Afghanistan, and an upcoming assignment in Iraq, with the Oregon Guard. Having served in both branches, he's a big fan of GI Bill parity.

William Gamz: "Whether you're there for three months, or for 3 years. We are a nation built on the idea of equality."

Army and National Guard troops do not receive the same college benefits under existing law.

Considering the jobs they share overseas right now, that inequity rubs many service members the wrong way. It's one of several points of contention between the two bills in play in the U.S. Senate. The first bill was written by Virginia Sen. Jim Webb. It enjoys the support of many Senators, including Oregon's Sen. Ron Wyden.

Ron Wyden: "It clearly doesn't do as much as I would like, but it's a very strong start."

Wyden likes the parity the Webb bill would offer, and the fact that it offers higher reimbursements for cash-strapped vets going to college. Right now, many GI packages don't offer full reimbursement.

Jenni Remillard is a Pendleton native attending at Portland State University.

Jenni Remillard: "What I'm worried about is my GI Bill is going to run out at the end of next term, and I still have about a year of school left, so that's my biggest concern is what am I going to do after it's gone."

Under the Webb bill, benefits to people like Jenni wouldn't be limited to 36 months, but instead pay veterans' way through four year public universities.

Many Senators, Democratic and Republican, have signed onto the Webb bill, but not the nation's commander-in-chief.

President Bush says he's concerned the bill may be a little too alluring for soldiers wanting to further their education. He predicts problems if too many servicemen and women drop out after three years to use the GI Bill. He's threatening to veto Webb's bill if it passes.

He'd like Congress to pass a different bill co-sponsored by Republican Presidential candidate, Sen. John McCain. It would offer benefits after six years of service. It also promises additional help for people who stay in the service for twelve years or more.

Sen. Gordon Smith is actually a co-sponsor of the more generous Webb bill, but has voted to forward discussion of the McCain alternative.

The GI Bill changes could  get worked out as part of the current war funding package. But even if they don't, many of those involved expect  Congress will pass them in some form or another later on.