WASHINGTON, D.C. ... Rep. Ralph Hall (R-TX/4) joined a large majority in the House tonight in support of emergency funding to provide the resources necessary for U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. House Republicans fought for – and prevailed – on a funding bill that would not impose timelines on troop withdrawal and that would not include tax increases on small business owners. The funding measure represents a compromise worked out yesterday between House Democratic and Republican leaders and the White House.
“I am very pleased that we reached bipartisan agreement on this critical funding bill for our troops, without mandated timelines for withdrawal,” Hall said. “Our men and women in Iraq and Afghanistan are doing a great job under extraordinarily difficult circumstances – and we owe them a vote of confidence. When I visited Iraq last summer, I visited with troops every chance I had, and almost to the person each one said that they needed to stay until they get the job done. This funding will help them accomplish that goal.”
The House voted separately on two amendments. The first, which provides $161.8 billion for military operations, passed the House by a vote of 268-155. The second amendment, which appropriates $24.7 billion for domestic programs, passed by a vote of 416-12.
Specifically, the second amendment permanently expands GI Bill education benefits for veterans and permits them to transfer those benefits to family members. It also provides an additional 13 weeks of unemployment benefits in all states, but limits the benefits to those who have worked at least 20 weeks before being laid off. It provides emergency assistance for Americans affected by tornadoes and flooding in the Midwest, and additional funding for levee rebuilding projects in Louisiana.
Hall is a cosponsor of H.R. 5740, legislation that would expand GI Bill benefits for veterans. “I’m pleased that this important reform was included in the supplemental funding bill,” Hall said. “I received my education on the GI Bill, but benefits have not kept up with inflation in recent years. This measure will help our veterans receive the help they need to provide for their own education or for the education of their spouse and children.”
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![[News from the HALL of Congress]](release_hed.jpg)