The U.S. Senate approved a significant increase in education benefits Thursday for veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, passing the bill by a veto-proof margin.

The bill sponsored by Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., would provide veterans with a stipend for living expenses as well as an amount for tuition determined by the most expensive public college in the veteran's state, The Virginian-Pilot reported. The measure also provides some new aid for victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Critics say that the bill would encourage soldiers to leave the military at a time when the Army is scrambling to keep its numbers up. President George Bush has promised a veto, but the 75-22 margin is more than enough to override him.

An alternative bill proposed by Sens. Lindsay Graham, R-S.C., and Richard Burr, R-N.C., would have provided incentives to keep soldiers in the military.

Webb's bill would cover any veteran who has served at least one three-year hitch since Sept. 11, 2001.

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