Bustos Joins New Bipartisan Effort To Boost Number Of Veterans Working On Capitol Hill

Press Release

Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos announced that she has joined the new bipartisan Veterans Congressional Fellowship Caucus in order to boost the number of veterans working on Capitol Hill.

"The unemployment rate for our veterans remains stubbornly far too high," said Bustos. "That's why I'm proud to join this new bipartisan effort today to not only put our veterans back to work but also to provide our policymakers with talented, skilled and dedicated public servants who are looking to continue their service to our country."

Bustos has a firm commitment to our nation's veterans and that starts with her own staff. Bustos' chief of staff and district director are both veterans, and a Wounded Warrior is a member of her legislative team in Washington, D.C. However, a new survey estimates that there are fewer than 180 veterans employed as Capitol Hill Staff, a mere 3 percent of the 6,000-plus employees who work there.

To boost the number of veterans working on Capitol Hill, the newly formed bipartisan Veterans Congressional Fellowship Caucus has created a fellowship program that will provide them with the resources and skills necessary to bridge the gap between military service and legislative work.

Veteran fellows will be placed in participating offices, participate in an educational curriculum where they will learn the legislative process and how to assist constituents dealing with federal agencies. The fellows will be provided a certificate at the end of their fellowship highlighting their completion of the program.

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