Mark Boulton
- Published in print:
- 2014
- Published Online:
- March 2016
- ISBN:
- 9780814724873
- eISBN:
- 9780814760420
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- NYU Press
- DOI:
- 10.18574/nyu/9780814724873.003.0003
- Subject:
- History, American History: 20th Century
This chapter examines the political debates that accompanied the passage of the first of the Vietnam-era G.I. Bills, the Veterans' Readjustment Benefits Act of 1966. It considers the role of Senator ...
More
This chapter examines the political debates that accompanied the passage of the first of the Vietnam-era G.I. Bills, the Veterans' Readjustment Benefits Act of 1966. It considers the role of Senator Ralph W. Yarborough, a Texas Democrat, in pushing for a new G.I. Bill that would compensate all citizens called upon for military service and the opposition he faced from fellow Texan Democrat Olin Teague in the House. In particular, it explains how the Vietnam War helped Yarborough's cause, resulting in the Veterans' Readjustment Benefits Act that gave the same benefits to all Cold War veterans. It also discusses the arguments of President Lyndon B. Johnson regarding federal spending and his eventual signing of the bill into law. Finally, it reflects on the significance of the 1966 G.I. Bill with respect to veterans' benefits and to democratic citizenship more generally.Less
This chapter examines the political debates that accompanied the passage of the first of the Vietnam-era G.I. Bills, the Veterans' Readjustment Benefits Act of 1966. It considers the role of Senator Ralph W. Yarborough, a Texas Democrat, in pushing for a new G.I. Bill that would compensate all citizens called upon for military service and the opposition he faced from fellow Texan Democrat Olin Teague in the House. In particular, it explains how the Vietnam War helped Yarborough's cause, resulting in the Veterans' Readjustment Benefits Act that gave the same benefits to all Cold War veterans. It also discusses the arguments of President Lyndon B. Johnson regarding federal spending and his eventual signing of the bill into law. Finally, it reflects on the significance of the 1966 G.I. Bill with respect to veterans' benefits and to democratic citizenship more generally.
Mark Boulton
- Published in print:
- 2014
- Published Online:
- March 2016
- ISBN:
- 9780814724873
- eISBN:
- 9780814760420
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- NYU Press
- DOI:
- 10.18574/nyu/9780814724873.003.0007
- Subject:
- History, American History: 20th Century
This chapter focuses on the conclusion of the Vietnam-era G.I. Bill saga, highlighted by the clash between Congress and President Gerald Ford over a proposed increase in Vietnam War veterans' ...
More
This chapter focuses on the conclusion of the Vietnam-era G.I. Bill saga, highlighted by the clash between Congress and President Gerald Ford over a proposed increase in Vietnam War veterans' education benefits. Throughout his brief term as president, Ford surpassed Richard Nixon's attempts to bring a culture of economic sacrifice to government spending. As a former member of the House Appropriations Committee, Ford demonstrated a strong interest in and knowledge of economics. Three days after taking office, he identified inflation as “public enemy number one.” This chapter examines Ford's attempt to kill a G.I. Bill that passed both the Senate and the House by vetoing an increase in veterans' education benefits and how that veto was overridden by Congress. It concludes with a discussion of the final rounds of debates over funding levels at the end of the 1970s, along with the continued influence of Olin Teague on limiting the benefits offered to Vietnam veterans.Less
This chapter focuses on the conclusion of the Vietnam-era G.I. Bill saga, highlighted by the clash between Congress and President Gerald Ford over a proposed increase in Vietnam War veterans' education benefits. Throughout his brief term as president, Ford surpassed Richard Nixon's attempts to bring a culture of economic sacrifice to government spending. As a former member of the House Appropriations Committee, Ford demonstrated a strong interest in and knowledge of economics. Three days after taking office, he identified inflation as “public enemy number one.” This chapter examines Ford's attempt to kill a G.I. Bill that passed both the Senate and the House by vetoing an increase in veterans' education benefits and how that veto was overridden by Congress. It concludes with a discussion of the final rounds of debates over funding levels at the end of the 1970s, along with the continued influence of Olin Teague on limiting the benefits offered to Vietnam veterans.
