EDWARDS MISSTEP
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James Joyner | Thursday, July 3, 2003 |
Washington Times reports that Sen. John Edwards is in hot water over an odd move for a presidential hopeful:
Lawmakers and veterans urged Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. John Edwards to stop blocking legislation aimed at easing student loan burdens for soldiers fighting overseas.
“It’s shameful that the members of our armed services are being held captive by political tactics,” said Rep. Howard P. “Buck” McKeon, California Republican and chairman of the House subcommittee that engineered the Higher Education Relief Opportunities for Students (Heroes) Act.The bill â which in effect would defer student loan payments for soldiers engaged in military operations â overwhelmingly passed the House in April just seven days after it was introduced.
Ever since, it has been stuck in the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, of which Mr. Edwards, North Carolina Democrat, is a member. The presidential candidate opposed allowing a committee vote on the bill until an amendment he authored â which would be more generous to soldiers â was considered.
I’d like to know a little more about Edwards’ amendment, but the rest of the story gives the impression that he and his staff aren’t making any arguments as to why it is worth using such heavyhanded tactics to add.
About the Author: James Joyner is the publisher of Outside the Beltway and the managing editor of the Atlantic Council. He's a former Army officer, Desert Storm vet, and college professor with a PhD in political science from The University of Alabama. He lives just outside the Beltway in Alexandria, Virginia with his wife and infant daughter.
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I read that article in the Washington Times and wanted to spit! Typical Dem politics, as usual. Lezzais faire Extorsion. Edwards doesn't give a damn about GIs. Just getting his name on the record and in the spotlight. Once he's gotten the GOP to blink, or compromise in the least way. Or send the bill to Committee. Howard will sign off on it and gain a few inches of ink. Though I doubt he's going to garner ANY votes from GIs whose futures he's dickin with!
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