MGN Online  WASHINGTON (AP) - A Democratic bill enhancing health
care, education and job-training benefits for veterans faces an
uphill climb as the Senate approaches a showdown vote on the $21
billion legislation. Both political parties generally favor
helping the nation's 22 million veterans and their families,
especially in a congressional election year. But Republicans
consider the wide-ranging legislation too expensive, and they
also want to add a provision imposing new sanctions on Iran for
its nuclear program. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.,
has blocked a vote on a GOP alternative eliminating some of the
improvements and slapping the sanctions on Iran. Citing Reid's
move, Republicans were expected to rally behind a procedural
effort Thursday to derail the veterans bill - and each party
accused the other of seeking partisan gain. President Barack
Obama strongly opposes the additional sanctions, saying
international talks on Iran's nuclear program must be given more
time. Similar, bipartisan I