February 14, 2017

Ranking Member Walz Applauds Passage Of Four Veterans Bills, Including BRAVE Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. --- Today, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Ranking Member Tim Walz (D-MN) released the following statement after the House passed the BRAVE Act, along with three other pieces of bipartisan legislation designed to improve the lives of veterans across the US.

“Today, Democrats and Republicans in Congress came together to demonstrate our deepest gratitude and respect to the brave men and women who have served and sacrificed on behalf of the United States,” Rep. Walz said. “Just as we vow to leave no soldier behind on the battlefield, we vow to never forget any veterans when they return home. These bipartisan bills will work to uphold our debt of gratitude to those who have borne the battle and I urge my colleagues in the Senate to pass these bills with haste.”

H.R. 974, the Boosting Rates of American Veteran Employment Act, or BRAVE Act, introduced by HVAC member Rep. Kathleen Rice (D-NY), will allow the VA Secretary to give a preference to companies that actively employ veterans, a policy that would incentivize companies to hire more veterans.

The BRAVE Act will help all veterans, especially younger Post-9/11 veterans who still face a stubbornly high unemployment rate, earn employment with companies who partner with the federal government. Without any additional cost to the American taxpayer, the BRAVE Act represents a win-win for the private sector, the federal government, and most importantly, veterans themselves.

The House also passed the following legislation:

  • H.R. 609, which will designate the Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Center in Center Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania, as the Abie Abraham VA Clinic. Born in western PA, he distinguished himself as a soldier rising to Regimental Sgt. Major and as a boxer winning 71 bouts. Not only did he serve in the Army in the Philippines, China, Germany, and Panama beginning in 1932, he was a champion boxer as well. This training helped him survive the Bataan Death March and three and half years as a Prisoner of War. Master Sergeant Abraham was a recipient of the Purple Heart, and a lifelong member of several veterans’ organizations. Master Sergeant Abraham continued to serve veterans as both an advocate and volunteer until his death 5 years ago (Rep. Kelly).

 

  • H.R. 244, the HIRE Vets Act, which will direct the Department of Labor’s Veterans Employment and Training Services to establish a HIRE Vets Medallion Program. Private-sector employers who successfully recruit, employ, and retain veterans, will be eligible for the Medallion and will be allowed to display on their marketing materials a recognized medallion as a symbol of their commendable hiring practices (Rep. Cook).

 

  • H.R. 512, the WINGMAN Act, which will allow designated congressional employees to have “read only” access to the Veterans Benefits Administration database to look up veterans’ records. This will help Congressional case-workers provide faster and more responsive answers to veterans who call seeking the status of their claims after frustrating experiences trying to get answers themselves (Rep. Yoho).

 

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