Jim Webb

DENVER -- U.S. Rep. Harry Mitchell is attending two conventions Wednesday - 900 miles from each other. Mitchell started off the day at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, to which he is a superdelegate, but will fly to Phoenix to address the American Legion National Convention in Phoenix later in the day, before returning to Denver for the remainder of the DNC.

Mitchell will be appearing with U.S. Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.) to discuss the impact of the so-called Post 9/11 G.I. Bill, the update of the Montgomery G.I. Bill that was introduced by Mitchell in the House and Webb in the Senate.

The event is meant as a "discussion," said Mitchell, intended to inform American Legion members of the benefits to which they might be entitled under the legislation. Mitchell said the Legion was heavily involved in the development of the bill. 

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Though passed by the U.S. House today, the Webb-Mitchell Post-9/11 GI Bill, introduced in the House by Rep. Harry Mitchell (D-5), fell short of the 288 votes necessary to secure the override of veto by Pres. George W. Bush.

Bush has threatened to veto the bill, which seeks to bolster educational benefits for returning veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, if it comes to his desk.

Though the bill bears his name, Mitchell rose on the floor of the House today to express serious concerns about provisions the Democratic leadership has put in it, specifically the addition of a surtax of .05 percent that would affect the richest Americans.

Rep. Harry Mitchell (D-5) keeps adding onto the list of cosponsors for his post-9/11 GI bill. So far a lot of Republican representatives and senators, and the three other Arizona Democrats, have come aboard, but as yet none of Mitchell's GOP colleagues are among them.