Media
House Passes IAVA-Backed Veteran Job Retraining Bill within $1.9 Trillion Pandemic Package
Calls on Congress to Increase Amount of Veterans Who Will Benefit
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 2, 2021
CONTACT: press@iava.org
New York, NY – Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) is celebrating the February 27 House passage of the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, the latest Congressional response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The emergency package includes the IAVA-backed Veterans Economic Recovery Act that will provide up to 12 months of retraining assistance for veterans who are unemployed due to the pandemic. The one-year of retraining program also includes a generous housing allowance. While the House-passed legislation will fund 17,500 eligible veterans, more must be done and IAVA calls on Congress to expand this program to at least 35,000 veterans.
“It’s clear that, in order to fight the effects of the pandemic, we must take new, bold approaches to ensure that a generation of veterans are not left behind due to the economic impact of COVID-19,” said IAVA CEO Jeremy Butler. “In a nearly two-trillion dollar bill, Congress should act now to fund retraining for 35,000 veterans. This will be one of the most impactful benefits for veterans and we are thankful for the bipartisan efforts by Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Jon Tester and Ranking Member Jerry Moran, and House Veterans Affairs Committee Ranking Member Mike Bost, to move this legislation forward.”
As if the American public needs any reminder of the economic crisis, the veterans unemployment rate rose from 5.3% in December to 5.5% in January. The unemployment rate for post-9/11 veterans rose even higher, from 5.1% in December to 6.3% in January.
IAVA is the voice for the post-9/11 veteran generation. With over 400,000 veterans and allies nationwide, IAVA is the leader in non-partisan veteran advocacy and public awareness. We drive historic impacts for veterans and IAVA’s programs are second to none. Any veteran or family member in need can reach out to IAVA’s Quick Reaction Force at quickreactionforce.org or 855-91RAPID (855-917-2743) to be connected promptly with a veteran care manager who will assist. IAVA’s The Vote Hub is a free tool to register to vote and find polling information. IAVA’s membership is always growing. Join the movement at iava.org/membership.
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