Democracy Rules

Civilians may be surprised to know that 2.7 million members of our armed forces have served our country during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Nearly half of these brave servicemembers have served multiple deployments, and about 170,000 of these warriors have served three or more tours of duty. Incredibly, more than 28,000 indomitable members of our armed forces have been deployed more than five times. As of 2019, more than 2 million soldiers, sailors, airmen and airwomen had transitioned to veteran status. Among veterans who served in the Gulf Wars, 41%, or 1.8 million, individuals reported a service-connected disability. There are more than 100,000 injured vets who have disability claims pending. The number of new disability claims submitted by veterans is expected to rise for many years, and even decades.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019, the veteran unemployment rate was 3%, the lowest in 19 years. In 2022, there were about 216,000 unemployed veterans. For vets returning in good health, finding a job is often the most pressing priority. Many employers recognize the valuable intangibles most military-trained men and women possess. These qualities include leadership, expertise, stress management, discipline, and the ability to work effectively in teams to accomplish a goal. Advocates say more educational opportunities and job training programs are needed to help veterans find employment. Recruiting more Veterans for open employment positions would also help.

Proposed Legislation: Reintroduction of H.R.637 - Veterans Economic Recovery Act of 2021
Prospective Sponsor: Rep. Mike Bost (IL)

I oppose reforming current unemployed Veterans policy and wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Speaker Mike Johnson (LA).
I support providing a retraining assistance program for unemployed veterans by: 1.) Implementing a program under which the VA must provide up to 12 months of nontransferable retraining assistance (including a housing stipend) to up to 35,000 eligible veterans for the pursuit of a specified program of education. 2.) Defining an eligible veteran as an individual who, among other requirements, is unemployed due to COVID-19. Veterans who receive retraining assistance may only use such assistance to pursue specified programs, including those designed to provide training for high-demand occupations. 3.) Requiring the Department of Labor to conduct outreach to veterans participating in the program to notify them of employment placement services and facilitate employment placement. 4.) Requiring the VA to enter into a memorandum of understanding with one or more qualified nonprofit organizations to facilitate the employment of veterans participating in the program. And wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Rep. Mike Bost (IL) and/or to an advocate group currently working with this issue.

Winning Option »» No issues were voted

I support providing a retraining assistance program for unemployed veterans by: 1.) Implementing a program under which the VA must provide up to 12 months of nontransferable retraining assistance (including a housing stipend) to up to 35,000 eligible veterans for the pursuit of a specified program of education. 2.) Defining an eligible veteran as an individual who, among other requirements, is unemployed due to COVID-19. Veterans who receive retraining assistance may only use such assistance to pursue specified programs, including those designed to provide training for high-demand occupations. 3.) Requiring the Department of Labor to conduct outreach to veterans participating in the program to notify them of employment placement services and facilitate employment placement. 4.) Requiring the VA to enter into a memorandum of understanding with one or more qualified nonprofit organizations to facilitate the employment of veterans participating in the program. And wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Rep. Mike Bost (IL) and/or to an advocate group currently working with this issue.