Ilhan Omar Faces Backlash After Calling For GI Bill to Apply to All Americans
Progressive congresswoman faces backlash for promoting article
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Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., is facing backlash for promoting an article calling for the G.I. Bill - the legislation that funds American service members' higher education - to apply to all Americans.
In the article, Will Fischer, an Iraq veteran who used the benefits of the G.I. Bill to pay for his college education, argued that the benefits off paying for veterans' education far outweigh the costs.
He also argues that covering all Americans' tuition would benefit student debt and the economy as a whole.
Omar tweeted, quoting the AlterNet story:
"Imagine what it would do for our country and those who live here if we were to take the ethos behind the original G.I. Bill and apply it to everybody—canceling all student debt and making public colleges, universities, and vocational schools tuition-free."
Omar later faced fire for advocating such a vast expansion.
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Chris Manning, a veteran who ran for Congress in New Mexico as a Libertarian in 2018, responded to Omar:
"I'm a recipient of the GI Bill," he began.
"The GI Bill was earned by agreeing to serve my country for six years and to put my life at risk as an infantryman in Afghanistan."
"It wasn't something just given to me with nothing expected in return. Don't cheapen our sacrifice w/ this comparison."
Gun-rights activist, Cam Edwards, noted that veterans earn their G.I Bill benefits, which contrasts with those who choose not to go into the military.
"My dad was a WWII vet who went to Brown University on the GI Bill," Edwards tweeted.
"He still worked as a truck driver on the side to pay for his family's food and housing while attending school full time."
“Imagine what it would do for our country and those who live here if we were to take the ethos behind the original G.I. Bill and apply it to everybody—canceling all student debt and making public colleges, universities, and vocational schools tuition-free.” 💪🏽 https://t.co/P6LNRv6h9w
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) February 7, 2020
I'm a recipient of the GI Bill. The GI Bill was earned by agreeing to serve my country for six years and to put my life at risk as an infantryman in Afghanistan. It wasn't something just given to me with nothing expected in return. Don't cheapen our sacrifice w/ this comparison. pic.twitter.com/4CNspm8gXt
— Chris Manning (@Manning4USCong) February 7, 2020
My dad was a WWII vet who went to Brown University on the GI Bill. He still worked as a truck driver on the side to pay for his family's food and housing while attending school full time.
— Cam Edwards (@CamEdwards) February 7, 2020
He didn't get "free" college. He paid his way with his service to the nation. https://t.co/lRQ6oRsck5
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"He didn't get 'free' college. He paid his way with his service to the nation."
Omar has previously pushed for the idea of legislation.
Along with Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., the congresswoman introduced a bill that would "eliminate tuition and fees at all public four-year colleges and universities."
Earlier this month, Neon Nettle reported Omar's congressional campaign paid over $500,000 in 2019 to a firm managed by her alleged boyfriend, political consultant Timothy Mynett.
The report cites FEC campaign filings and notes Omar’s campaign paid the E Street Group $215,000 at the end of 2019.
The total paid to the firm amounts to $525,000 last year
The expenses are listed as “Digital Communications Consulting," “Digital Advertising," amongst other things.
