Veterans Job Bill Passes

Statement

The latest unemployment numbers reflect little change in the jobless rates nationally or in Alabama. While the House has passed bill after bill this year to spur economic growth by lessening the regulatory burden on business, the Senate and President Obama have unfortunately resisted our efforts.

Of all the jobless statistics, one that is particularly troubling is the level of unemployment among our veterans. Like all sectors of our workforce, veterans have seen higher jobless rates in recent months and more needs to be done to enable them to transition into civilian employment after returning from serving their country.

I cosponsored and voted for the Veterans Opportunity to Work Act which passed the House on October 12. The "VOW Act", authored by my friend, Congressman Jeff Miller of Pensacola, has been described as "the most comprehensive, thoughtful legislation that has been introduced to get our veterans out of the unemployment lines and into meaningful jobs."

It boosts transition assistance for service members and strengthens job protection laws for National Guard members and Reservists. It also creates a new job-training program for older veterans. The VOW Act has been referred to the Senate.

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