Increase job opportunities for unemployed veterans (Rep. John Boozman)

As the son of a Master Sergeant in the Air Force, I grew up in a family that had values rooted in military tradition and today I carry those with me as I craft legislation to help our veterans. As a member of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee and Ranking Member of the Economic Opportunity Subcommittee, I am uniquely positioned to usher legislation through Congress that provides our veterans with the tools they need to succeed in today's competitive economy.

Last Monday, I was pleased to speak on the House floor in support of the Veterans Retraining Act of 2009. This legislation aims to increase job training opportunities for unemployed veterans. According to September data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 990,000 veterans were out of work, the highest in decades. Of that number, nearly 600,000 were between the ages of 35 and 64, which are the years of highest earning power and coincidentally, the highest financial burden on a family. Unfortunately, this is also the age when few veterans have access to veterans' education and training programs.

By focusing on unemployed veterans who aren't eligible for education or training under title 38 United States Code, allows unemployed veterans who effectively have no other option to be retrained in skills relevant to today's job market. By passing this legislation, many veterans won't have to settle for low paying jobs. Instead they can take the time to learn valuable and relevant skills while earning income to support themselves and their families. We are continually looking for opportunities to improve the lives of our veterans and I am eager to help in any way that I can.