Congresswoman Chellie Pingree supports programs to create jobs, provide more economic security for veterans

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree this week supported legislation that will help create and sustain jobs for veterans, end veteran homelessness and protect service members and their families from foreclosure.   The House passed a package of bills in votes over the last few days.
 
“These important pieces of legislation will help us make sure our veterans don’t fall through the cracks,” said Pingree.  “Veterans and their families make incredible sacrifices in service to their countries—homelessness and unemployment shouldn’t be two of them.”
 
Under the Employment of Veterans in Energy-Related Positions Program (HR 4592) passed by the House, a pilot program will be established in which states would offer competitive grants to companies who hire veterans for jobs in the green energy field.
 
“This is an exciting opportunity for Maine veterans to access the state’s growing green economy,” Pingree said.  “Their service training gives them an excellent background for jobs in the alternative energy and energy efficiency fields.”

The End Veteran Homelessness Act of 2010 (HR 4810) increases funding to the Department of Veterans Affairs for comprehensive services and housing programs to homeless veterans.
 
“We can’t turn our back on the 325,000 veterans who suffer the sad fate of homelessness every year,” said Pingree.  “This legislation is a great step to achieving VA Secretary Shinseki’s goal of ending veteran homelessness in the next five years.”
 
The Helping Heroes Keep Their Homes Act (HR 3976) extends a nine-month period of mortgage foreclosure protection for service members.  Through 2015, it requires lenders to wait nine months before starting foreclosure proceedings against returning service members and surviving spouses of those who die in service.
 
Passed today, the National Guard Employment Protection Act (HR 1879) ensures that full-time Guard members do not lose their jobs when they have to leave for service.  The bill adds full-time National Guard service to the types of military service that do no count toward the five-year limit employees are permitted to be absent from work and still be guaranteed their jobs.

“Being on active duty presents enough challenges to service members and their families without the stresses of foreclosure and unemployment,” said Pingree.  “This legislation will give our veterans and their families piece of mind that when they return from service, their homes and jobs will be waiting for them.”
 
Another important piece of legislation that passed was the Veterans’ Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act (HR 4667), which increases the amount paid to veterans or their surviving families for disability compensation by the same cost-of-living adjustments as Social Security.