Senate Passes Bill for Filipino Veteran Benefits

The Senate approved legislation Thursday that would provide increased veteran's benefits and set up pensions for Filipino vets who served beside American troops in WWII.

The bill passed 96-1 and now moves onto the House where it is expected to get a vote before the end of the year. While Bush has not threatened a veto, the White House and some Republicans want to strip out the provision for Filipino veterans because they believe the money would be better spent on U.S. Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.

Jaywalker of the blog Pedestrian Observer sides with the Filipino vets:

There is a long road ahead for the FilVets and their supporters and it will help if every Filipino American will do their share of lobbying but all these will be for naught if Gloria Arroyo is allowed to sabotage the gains of the lobbying effort. That is if we allow Gloria Arroyo in her illegal abuse of her executive powers in including VMMC in her development plans that will serve as an excuse to sell a property that belongs to the Filipino Veterans not the government to dispose off as they please. Leave it to the president with questionable mandate to spoil everything what could have been the most important legislative victory for the FilVets. Like a typical destructive and vindictive person afflicted with crab mentality will pull down the FilVets because they are $300 a month richer. Denying them hospital care at the twilight of their years is just plain cruel and as sick as it can get.

Genghis of 8Asians says the bill is too little too late:

The bill’s passing is honorable, and it’s welcomed. But for most it’s a bit too late. But even if it came many years after, I’m sure if my grandfather was here today, he would still stand and salute and would have been ever so proud to have served.

Opponents point out such a pension would be in addition to the one already received by their own government.

The bill also makes some veteran benefits retroactive for more people, gives new kinds of housing benefits to severe burn victims and increases the amount of mortgage life insurance some disabled veterans can buy.

-Dippold

Political Online Reputation