Cook proposes bipartisan bill to improve civilian job prospects for U.S. veterans

U.S. Rep. Paul Cook (R-CA) on Oct 31 introduced bipartisan legislation to support United States military veterans in their transition from active duty to civilian employment.

Rep. Cook is the lead original cosponsor of the Veteran Employment Transition (VET) Act, H.R. 4941, with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Andy Kim (D-NJ), which would improve the Transition Assistance Program by allowing certain veterans’ service organizations (VSOs) to contact veterans regarding benefits and to better inform them about employment opportunities, according to the congressional record summary of the bill.

“Veterans who serve our country honorably shouldn’t struggle to find employment upon returning home,” Rep. Cook said. “This legislation would provide crucial improvements to veterans’ employment outreach programs across the country.”

Currently, the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) do not have the capabilities to provide veterans with employment assistance, according to a statement released last week by Rep. Cook’s office, which noted that VSOs already are engaged in veteran employment outreach.

If enacted, H.R. 4941 would permit the DOD to share data with qualified organizations, such as the American Legion, Vietnam Veterans of America, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, that would help them assist and engage with returning veterans who are seeking civilian employment.

“It’s important that we do all we can to support organizations that strive every day to support our veterans,” said Rep. Cook.

H.R. 4941 has been referred for consideration to both the U.S. House Armed Services Committee and the U.S. House Veterans’ Affairs Committee.