Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Programs Reauthorization Act of 2018

Floor Speech

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Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4451, Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Programs Reauthorization Act of 2017.

H.R. 4451 proposes an amendment to Title 38 of the United States Code to provide for a five-year extension to homeless veterans reintegration programs and to provide clarification regarding eligibility for services under such programs.

This bill includes the reauthorization of reintegration programs among those for whom job training, counseling, and placement services are to be provided to expedite their reintegration into the labor force.

These services provided to homeless veterans include the VA supported housing program, assistance under the Native American Housing Assistance and Self Determination Act of 1996, transitioning from being incarcerated, and participating in the VA's rapid re-housing and homelessness prevention program.

Mr. Speaker, our United States veterans bravely put their lives on the line to defend our freedoms and to keep our nation safe.

Without the brave efforts of all the soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines and Coast Guardsmen and women and their families, our country would not live so freely.

Homelessness among the American veteran population is on the rise in the United States and we must be proactive in giving back to those who have given so much to us.

We as a nation have a responsibility to our veterans to provide programs that aid in their reintegration back into the labor force.

Nearly 230,000 veterans and their families have been able to come back from homeless and find permanent homes since 2010.

By passing H.R. 4451, homeless veterans will receive assistance to enhance their quality of life and community integration.

I urge my colleagues to join me in voting for H.R. 4451.

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