Representative Abe Hamadeh (R-AZ) has introduced bipartisan legislation improving the Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) program.
The Veteran Readiness and Employment program provides veterans of the Armed Forces with help in job training, education, employment accommodations, resume development, and job-seeking skills coaching. Additional elements include help starting a business and independent living assistance for severely disabled veterans who cannot work in traditional employment.
Named the Veterans Readiness & Employment Transparency Act, Rep. Hamadeh's bill creates a new hotline system for the program with clear contact information. Each regional office must hold Q&A sessions at every school under its responsibility.
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In his press release, Rep. Hamadeh said, "Many say VR&E program is the Department of Veterans Affairs' best-kept secret, but many veterans and campus administrators can't get the Department's help with the onerous application process—or even know where to begin. Veterans are often ignored by their VR&E counselors – with no recourse, adding to often extreme wait times."
Additionally, the Arizona Congressman's bill requires that vocational training extension waivers be reported annually and approved or denied within 30 days of the initial request.
The waiver provisions were created in response to the long wait times for waiver extension requests, which range from 2 weeks to 158 days. Similarly, the wait time for in-person meetings in Phoenix is 68 days.
"These wait times are simply unacceptable. Our veterans did not delay when heeding the call of our nation, and our nation cannot delay when our veterans call for assistance," Hamadeh added.
Representative Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ), one of the bill's cosponsors, said, "When our veterans return home, they deserve to be able to easily access the support and benefits their service earned. Unfortunately, due to unnecessary bureaucracy, many veterans have difficulty accessing VR&E programs that help with job training, education, and employment accommodations, especially for those who were injured in the line of duty. I am proud to join my fellow Arizona colleague Rep. Hamadeh in a bipartisan effort to make VR&E programs more accessible to veterans in my district and across the country."
