Senator Jim Webb of Virginia is the proponent of expanded veteran’s benefits, which have drastically declined in actual value since World War II. Webb’s proposed legislation would pay for the benefits by increasing income tax only on households with incomes in excess of $1 million annually.

Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) and his allies have introduced their own version of the bill, which would reserve the most generous benefits for those who have served at least 12 years. Webb pointed out that it would exclude the vast majority of service members:

Seventy to 75 percent of the ground troops in the Army and the Marine Corps have left the service by the end of their first enlistment. And those are the people who are not being taken care of. … They are not getting an opportunity for the first-class education they deserve.

As Webb pointed out, conservatives need to match their rhetoric on supporting the troops with their actions.

Think Progress: Webb: Bush Would Be First President In History To Veto Benefits For Vets