President George Bush and Sen. John McCain, in their recent opposition to an updated GI Bill, have displayed a sad disregard for veterans’ benefits.

Their fears of decreased military retention because of the bill’s updated benefits are unfounded and show that, when confronted with the opportunity for action, their talk of supporting our troops rings hollow.

Implemented during World War II, the original GI legislation provided veterans with a college or vocational education, along with loans with which to start businesses or buy homes. The legislation is widely considered to have been hugely successful, with some estimating that for every dollar the program spent, $7 was generated in increased gross national product (GNP).

The new legislation, written by two Vietnam War veterans, Sens. Chuck Hagel (R-Nebraska) and Jim Webb (D-Virginia) has strong bipartisan support. With the original bill’s benefits far outdated by the rising cost of college, the new GI Bill would provide a badly needed update of the legislation’s provisions. It would make more colleges available to veterans, increase the monthly amount allotted to tuition from $1,101 to $1,700, and provide up to $1,000 a year for books and fees. Right now, many veterans attending college must work multiple jobs to earn the tuition not covered by the program.

Both Bush and McCain oppose the legis-lation because they claim its increased incentives will encourage enlisted soldiers to enroll in college over reenlisting, thus draining manpower from an already thinly stretched military.

However, the Congressional Budget Office estimates that the improved benefits will increase new recruits by 16 percent, an amount equivalent to the projected 16 percent drop of those currently enlisted to pursue the benefits offered by the bill.

The benefits of the GI Bill are often over-touted by recruiters eager to enlist new recruits, and it is time the promise of an education for veterans be delivered to the most deserving of people.

Likewise, as a number of astute commentators have pointed out, the new GI Bill would, if anything, attract intelligent, motivated people, a number of whom return to service after receiving their education. Instead of blaming attractive educational options for low re-enlistment rates, perhaps Bush and McCain should consider more deep-seated disincentives.

As quoted by The Washington Post, McCain, responding to a comment made by Sen. Barack Obama questioning his opposition to the bill, stated that, “I take a backseat to no one in my affection, respect and devotion to veterans. And I will not accept from Senator Obama, who did not feel it was his responsibility to serve our country in uniform, any lectures on my regard for those who did.”

Though having served in the Armed Forces — an admirable action deserving of respect — this does not give McCain the preordained moral high ground in debates concerning military service. He, of all people, should acknowledge the profound sacrifice made by people in uniform and our indebtedness to them.

President Bush’s opposition to the bill caps a shameful legacy of following high-flying rhetoric with inaction. Though the bill has been passed by the Senate with bipartisan support, a Bush veto is to be expected. It is a shameful and disappointing conclusion to a horrible tenure in office.