Richardson Opposes Immigration Bill

Presidential hopeful Rudy Giuliani speaks in New York, Monday, May 21, 2007. Giuliani was there to receive the endorsement of local New York politicians for his 2008 presidential run. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) (Seth Wenig - AP)

FORT MADISON, Iowa (AP) _ Democratic presidential hopeful John Edwards on Friday unveiled a new policy to support veterans, service members and military families, a popular move for many presidential candidates leading into the Memorial Day weekend.

The recent scandal over substandard treatment at the Walter Reed military hospital is only a small fraction of problems facing U.S. troops, the former North Carolina senator said as he began a weekend trip through southeastern Iowa.

Extended tours of duty are putting pressure on military families, troops are being sent to war underequipped, and the GI bill is failing to adequately provide education to returning soldiers, Edwards told about 100 people gathered in a hotel conference room.

If elected, "I will do everything to support our troops that is not being done today," he said.

Edwards' plan, which he called a "sacred contract," includes:

_Fully funding veterans' health care.

_Providing a plan for coming home, including screening for post-traumatic stress disorder.

_Enacting a new Total Force GI bill, giving Guard and Reserve members benefits proportionate to the service they perform. It would expand benefits for college or technical school tuition and fees for service members coming off of active duty.

_Creating a Military Families Advisory Board to allow families a voice at the U.S. Department of Defense.

_Closing the gap between military and civilian pay.

Edwards drew criticism from a leader of the American Legion last week when he called for voters to speak out against the Iraq war on Memorial Day weekend.

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