Boozman Employment Bill Advances

Press Release

Boozman Employment Bill Advances

U.S. Representative John Boozman (R-AR) today announced his legislation to grant an early start of vocational rehabilitation and employment benefits to injured troops was unanimously reported out of the House Vaterans' Affairs Committee, paving the way for consideration by the full House.

H.R. 2239, the "Early Access to Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Act of 2007" will expand eligibility for vocational rehabilitation benefits for severely injured service members undergoing long-term care and recovery.

Under current law, the VA is not permitted to provide Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) benefits until after a service member is discharged from Armed Forces. Rep. Boozman's legislation would allow the benefits to begin for any member of the Armed Forces who is hospitalized or receiving outpatient medical care, services or treatment, as long as he or she is determined to have service-connected disabilities that are likely to lead to their discharge or release from the Armed Forces.

"I am very pleased to see this bill reported from committee," Boozman, ranking member of the Veterans' subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, said. "This is important legislation to ensure injured servicemembers, slated to be discharged because of their injuries, begin to receive the benefits they need to succeed in civilian life."

"My goal continues to be making sure every veteran can find a job," Boozman added.

For the text of this legislation, follow this link:

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c110:H.R.2239:

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