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McNerney Supports Bill To Put Veterans To Work

Press Release

Date: Nov. 16, 2011
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Employment and Affirmative Action Military Personnel Veterans Government Budget and Spending

Today, Congressman Jerry McNerney voted for H.R. 674, the VOW to Hire Heroes Act. The bill will put veterans to work, create new jobs for our service members, and strengthen the national economy. The bill passed the House of Representatives with broad bipartisan support. It passed the U.S. Senate last Thursday, and will next be sent to President Obama to be signed into law.

"Just as they were after World War II, our veterans will be central in getting our economy back on track. As more and more of our service members return home, we must find ways for them to secure good-paying jobs," said Rep. McNerney.

Several provisions are included in the VOW to Hire Heroes Act that were taken from the Hiring Heroes Act that Rep. McNerney introduced with several of his colleagues in May of this year. These provisions include:

* Ensuring the Transition Assistance Program serves all veterans

* Requiring the DoD and VA to conduct a study to eliminate barriers to employment by identifying similarities between military training and civilian-equivalent positions

* Expanding on-the-job training opportunities

* Providing service-connected disabled veterans with additional rehabilitation benefits

* Directing the VA to provide grants to up to three nonprofit organizations for a collaborative veterans' training, mentoring, and placement program for veterans seeking employment.

"I am glad that a bipartisan bill that is so vital for our veterans was able to take a significant step forward today. I have heard far too often that our veterans struggle to translate their military experience to civilian employers. They have given up family, jobs, and community to defend our country, and we must honor their sacrifice by providing them with the resources they deserve," said Rep. McNerney.

Currently, veterans are experiencing high rates of unemployment, most significantly those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. The average unemployment rate for these veterans is 12.1%. Overall, nearly one in twelve of our nation's heroes are out of work.

Congressman McNerney is the Ranking Member on the Disabilities Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.


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