"Pentagon Biggest Obstacle to Democrats" GI Bill"

AP reporter Anne Flaherty "http://www.rawstory.com/news/mochila/Pentagon_biggest_obstacle_to_Democr_05132008.html">updates lobbying effort by Pentagon to defeat Jim Webb's bill to enable Vets to attend in-state public universities and colleges free of charge.

Veterans groups say it's time to expand college aid for GIs, and Democrats want to use an election year to do it. Their biggest obstacle? The Pentagon.

The Defense Department is lobbying against legislation proposed by Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., that would guarantee a full-ride scholarship for service members to any in-state public university. According to defense officials, the plan would hurt its ability to retain service members because the new GI education bill would require only three years before the full benefit kicks in. The Defense Department wants the commitment to be extended to at least six years.

"We have no issue with the fact that Sen. Webb wishes to provide a more generous education benefit to troops," said Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell. "But we are certainly concerned that this would be eligible to them" so soon.