The endorsement of the Council’s Board of Directors cited Rep. Braley’s efforts to secure GI Bill education benefits for 600 Iowa National Guard soldiers who were denied these benefits after returning from service in Iraq. The Board also cited his efforts to secure Respite Leave Benefits for more than 700 Iowa National Guard soldier that were denied their benefits. Legislation Rep. Braley introduced resulted in thousands of National Guard troops permanently securing access to their Respite Leave benefits.

Rather than prolonging a war we shouldn’t be fighting, Obama should take this opportunity finally to honor his commitment to bring our troops home.

“We are paying a painfully high cost to keep more troops in Afghanistan for longer – with few, if any, benefits. The president’s announcement is a step in the right direction, but he needs to do much more to fulfill his promise to end a war that’s gone on for far too long.”