English Stands Up for American Troops, Veterans & Workers

Press Release

English Stands Up for American Troops, Veterans & Workers

Today, U.S. Rep. Phil English (R-Pa.) applauded House passage of a series of amendments that will provide critical funding for American troops, bolster education benefits for veterans and strengthen the safety net for workers facing layoffs.

‘The priorities of today's vote were to extend unemployment benefits to our jobless workers, address the needs of our troops based in Iraq and Afghanistan and boost education benefits for our veterans," said English, a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee. "Although, I disagree with the tax provisions that were included in the package, we must move forward in a timely fashion and work directly with our counterparts in the Senate to create a balanced and fair plan that we can all embrace."

To advance a war spending bill, which will provide important funding to American troops stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan, the House Leadership brought three amendments to the floor for three separate votes on: troop funding (Amendment #1), war policy provisions (Amendment #2), and domestic spending (Amendment #3.)

Amendment #1 provides $183.8 billion to assist troops in Iraq and Afghanistan; Amendment #2, among other things, calls for the redeployment of U.S. troops from Iraq to begin within 30 days and be completed within 18 months and Amendment #3 expands the education benefits in the GI bill to adequately support members of the Reserve and National Guard, and provides an additional 13 weeks of assistance for those who have exhausted state and federal benefits during times of high unemployment rates.

English has championed legislation in Congress, H.R. the Post 9/11 Educational Assistance Act and the H.R. 5749, the Emergency Extended Unemployment Compensation Act which mirror the provisions included in Amendment #3.

"This amendment will go a long way in assuring when our troops return home from duty they have the resources available to build a brighter future for themselves and their families," English said. "In addition to help the many families and communities that are concerned about unemployment during these troubling economic times, this amendment will guarantee more pay days for workers facing uncertainty in the job market."

In addition to domestic spending priorities, Amendment #3 included a tax increase while its Senate companion did not. Today, English publicly called for passage of the Senate version, which he said would be less burdensome on the economy at a time like this.

Source