Vets Job Training Bill Passes House

House Passes Boozman Bill to Improve Job Training Opportunities for Veterans

Washington, D.C. — Yesterday, the House passed a number of veteran related measures, including legislation introduced by Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity Ranking Member John Boozman to improve job training opportunities for veterans.

H.R. 1168, as amended, the Veterans’ Retraining Act of 2009, would provide a housing stipend to unemployed veterans enrolled in a Department of Labor job training program. The bill also would provide financial assistance to help newly-trained veterans relocate to geographic locations with a high demand for their acquired skills.

“Veterans’ unemployment rates have soared over the past months to an all time high of over eight percent,” said Boozman. “This percentage equates to nearly a million veterans who cannot find work, and over half of those are between the ages of 35 and 64—the most important earning years.”

“H.R. 1168 would provide the necessary training opportunities that will allow more of these men and women to acquire employment skills that reflect job market demands, as well as the financial means to relocate to where those jobs are plentiful.”

H.R. 1168 passed the house by a vote of 356-0.

The following bills also passed the House yesterday:

S. 475 – to amend the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to guarantee the equity of spouses of military personnel with regard to matters of residency, passed by voice vote;  Read the full article on Military.com.

H. Res. 773 – Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives with respect to the United States Submarine Force, passed by voice vote;

H. Res. 828 – To recognize October 24, 2009, the 20th chartered flight of World War II veterans through Louisiana HonorAir, as “Louisiana HonorAir Day,” and to honor the invaluable service and dedication of the World War II veterans to our Nation, passed by voice vote;

H. Res. 461 – Honoring Sentinels of Freedom and commending the dedication, commitment, and extraordinary work of the organization, passed by voice vote;

H.R. 174 – to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a national cemetery for veterans in the southern Colorado region, passed by voice vote;

H. Res. 89 – Supporting and encouraging greater support for Veterans Day each year, passed by voice vote;

H. Res. 291 – - recognizing the crucial role of assistance dogs in helping wounded veterans live more independent lives, passed 351 to 0; and,

S. 509– to authorize a major medical facility project at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Walla Walla, Washington , passed 352-0.