The United States Senate Friday passed, by an overwhelming margin of 92-6, the FY08 Emergency Supplemental bill that included the “Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act” sponsored by Senators Jim Webb (D-VA) and Chuck Hagel (R-NE).

The legislation modernizes educational benefits for members of our Armed Forces who have served since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. The bill will now be sent to the President for his signature.

“This bill is about giving the men and women of our military the same education benefits that all of America’s veterans have received since World War II. In rotating forward these earned benefits into the 21st century, making them relevant to the realities of the cost of education today, we are fulfilling a commitment that we have all made to our veterans," Hagel said.

"By investing in education we are investing in America’s future and continuing to build a society worthy of the sacrifices of our veterans. I thank Senator Webb for his leadership on this bill, as well as Senators Warner and Lautenberg. This was the right thing to do for our service men and women and their families."

The Webb-Hagel GI bill modernizes education benefits by funding the full cost of tuition at public universities in each state.

It would also pay $1,000 a year for fees and books and provide a housing stipend.

The Webb-Hagel GI bill covers all branches of the United States military, including active duty National Guard and Reserve components.

Like the current Montgomery GI bill, a service member would qualify for the full benefit after serving at least three years.