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DEMOCRATIC PRESS RELEASE

October 25, 2007

House Veterans’ Affairs Economic Opportunity Subcommittee Holds Hearing on the Department of Labor VETS Program
Subcommittee Approves Two Bills at Markup

Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-9756

Washington, D.C. – On Thursday, the House Veterans’ Affairs Economic Opportunity Subcommittee, led by Chairwoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-SD), held a hearing to evaluate the Department of Labor’s Veterans Employment and Training Services (VETS) program, specifically the Disabled Veteran Outreach Program (DVOP) and Local Veterans Employment Representative Program (LVER). The Subcommittee also approved two bills, H.R. 513 and H.R. 3882, that would expand veterans benefits at a markup that was held prior to the hearing.

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H.R. 513 would allow service members to request that credit reporting companies enter a notation that the account is delinquent due to military service. The bill, introduced by Representative Robert Brady (D-PA), was passed as an amendment and reported to the full committee.

H.R. 3882 would change the length of service on active duty required for receiving certain education benefits. The bill seeks to correct a problem that was recognized as a result of the mobilization of the Minnesota National Guard. Currently, to qualify for Active Duty Chapter 30 benefits, a member must be obligated for a two year term and serve 20 continuous months. H.R. 3882 still requires 20 months of service but changes the obligated term to less than three years, which would allow the Guard members to receive Active Duty benefits. The bill, introduced by Timothy Walz (D-MN), was approved and reported to the full committee.

The primary role of DVOP and LVER is to assist veterans obtain employment and conduct employer outreach. The program promotes and develops on-the-job training, apprenticeship and other training opportunities in both the private sector and within federal job training programs. Funding is provided to State Employment Security Agencies to support staff positions to develop and provide employment and job training opportunities for disabled and other qualified veterans.

"The ability to acquire proficient skill sets, obtain the needed assistance to successfully connect to an employer and apply those skills to the workforce is fundamental to a veteran’s ability to succeed in today’s workforce environment,” said Chairwoman Herseth Sandlin. “I believe that the DVOP and LVER programs have a crucial role in assisting our veterans obtain gainful employment, especially our nation’s newest veterans who are returning home from the wars in and .”

In 2002 Congress enacted the Jobs for Veterans Act (JVA) which modified the DVOP/LVER programs. JVA identified broad roles and responsibilities for DVOP/LVER staff while giving the states flexibility to determine the number of staff for each program. JVA also required the implementation of a comprehensive performance accountability system. The Government Accountability Office released a report in May 2007 that highlighted many concerns held by veterans service organizations on the performance and reporting used by VETS.

“This Administration was ill-prepared to deal with the impact of returning service members,” said Chairman Bob Filner (D-CA), House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. “We have a fantastic opportunity to capture a population of dedicated, intelligent and committed workers. These programs at the Department of Labor must be well-staffed, accessible and prepared to assist in the reintegration process of our returning veterans.”

The biggest complaint from the veteran service community is the poor service by DVOPs and LVERs. Often, the programs are integrated into the state employment programs where veterans are not the service priority. The use of part-time employees at the service centers was also noted as a problem. “The American Legion has observed, by virtue of our members who are employed as DVOPs/LVERs, that due to half time status, these personnel are unable to travel to the locations where veterans tend to congregate,” said Ronald Chamrin. “Their half time status prohibits periods of travel that will extend beyond half a day, and their other requirements force them to be able to assist non-veterans within their employment offices.”

“I applaud the sincere dedication of the professionals that work to implement and direct these programs,” said Chairwoman Herseth Sandlin. “However, I also believe that further opportunities to enhance these programs still exist.”

The opening statements of all the witnesses are available on the Committee website at http://veterans.house.gov/hear
ings/hearing.aspx?newsid=134.

Panel 1

* Ronald F. Chamrin, Assistant Director, Economic Commission, The American Legion
* Richard Daley, Associate Legislation Director, Paralyzed Veterans of
* Rick Weidman, Executive Director of Government Affairs, Veterans of

Panel 2

* Honorable Charles Ciccolella, Assistant Secretary, Veterans’ Employment and Training, Department of Labor

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Larry Scott  --

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